The Nigerian-British designer Mowalola Ogunlesi has issued an apology for using the Saudi Arabian flag in her Spring/Summer 2024 collection, which sparked outrage among some Muslims.
The collection, titled “Crash”, was inspired by the 1995 film of the same name and featured models with bruises, scars, and obscene graphics. One of the outfits included a cropped top with the Saudi Arabian flag, which bears the Islamic creed: “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.”
Many Muslims considered this as a sign of disrespect and blasphemy, as the flag is considered sacred and should not be used on clothing or other items. Some social media users called for boycotting the designer and her brand, while others demanded an apology.
Ogunlesi posted a statement on her Twitter account on September 17, 2023, expressing her regret and explaining her intention behind the controversial design.
