More Indian Monkey Business From Designer Paul Frank
Following Fashion's Night Out in September 2012, bloggers pointed to the brand's use of a dreamcatcher and feather headdress
Apparel company Paul Frank Industries faced backlash from Native American communities in September 2012 over a controversial “Dream Catchin” promotional party and the brand's history of culturally appropriative clothing designs.
The outrage, which sparked following a Fashion's Night Out event, prompted bloggers and critics to highlight the company's repeated misuse of Native imagery. Examples included t-shirts featuring the brand's monkey mascot, Julius, superimposed over a dreamcatcher and wearing a feather headdress.
The criticism was notably amplified by Jessica Metcalfe on her blog, Beyond Buckskin, drawing wider attention to the brand's designs.
The publication later issued a correction clarifying that the original artist and co-founder, Paul Frank Sunich, had left the company in 2005 and was not involved in the "Dream Catchin" event or the controversial designs.
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