Avant-Garde Fashion Clash: Forbidden City Denies Entry to Designers Over ‘Disrespectful’ Attire

Forbidden City: Beijing Venue Denies Entry to Designer Rick Owens and Eccentric Companions

Creators of the Fecal Matter brand, along with two other designers, were turned away from the imperial palace complex for wearing 'disrespectful' avant-garde outfits.

Four international fashion designers were barred from entering Beijing's Forbidden City due to their "dark and unusual" attire.

The quartet – consisting of Rick Owens, Michele Lamy, and Fecal Matter co-founders Hannah Rose Dalton and Steven Raj Bhaskaran – faced backlash in state-run media for their apparent disregard for Chinese history and cultural heritage.

On Tuesday, several members of the group, adorned with thick layers of makeup, were photographed at the entrance of the historical landmark. They were subsequently asked to either change their attire or vacate the premises.

Fecal Matter shared an Instagram story stating that security instructed them to "take off our makeup and dress in regular attire to gain entry," which they declined to comply with.

They characterized the event as "embarrassing and demeaning," yet they acknowledged, "We realize and accept that we can't access everything in the world. It's the cost of staying true to our values without compromise.

"From this experience, we gain greater resolve to continue our efforts in advocating for wider acceptance and tolerance of diversity globally. We strive to challenge and stretch the limits in our battle against those who seek to categorize individuals and suppress freedom of speech."

The Forbidden City has not yet issued an official statement regarding the matter.