Vogue's 'Prison Chic' Trend Commits a Fashion Offense

Have you heard? Prisoners are totally chic, according to British Vogue, which in its current issue ran a fashion story featuring “Orange Is The New Black” protagonist Piper Chapman’s jailhouse-inspired clothing.

The story caption reads, “Orange Is the New Black Piper Chapman’s utility basics stand the test of time — quite literally. A zingy anorak and trousers have stylish staying power.” Those items, which sell for $414 and $545 respectively. There's also a $565 sweater featured. Total cost: $1,524.

Hadley Friedman, a columnist for British publication The Guardian, spotted the story on Monday and tweeted a photo to her 55,000 followers. It eventually reached OITNB author Piper Kerman (whose memoir the Netflix series is based on) who made her feelings on the story clear.

The feature is not only insensitive, but unfortunately, not an isolated incident among fashion magazines. In November, ELLE apologized for dubbing a military trend "North Korea Chic," in a feature that included the caption, “This time, it's edgier, even dangerous, with sharp buckles and clasps and take-no-prisoners tailoring.” After public outcry (due, in part, to North Korea's numerous human rights violations) the magazine issued this statement on its website: “We regret the reference to North Korea in our post on the season’s military trend, and have removed the image. We apologize to those we offended.” Also in 2013, Vogue Italia featured a simple pair of hoop earrings, offensively classifying them "Slave earrings." Following the inevitable backlash, it changed the name to the equally bizarre "ethnic earrings."

The high fashion world often claims its looks are aspirational but prison uniforms are anything but.