'Suicide is not fashion': Burberry apologizes over 'noose' hoodie

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British fashion house Burberry has apologized over a hoodie featuring noose-shaped strings that was showcased on the London Fashion Week runway, saying that it has been removed from its autumn-winter collection as well as the fashion week.

The controversial piece appeared in the fashion house's Sunday show. Liz Kennedy, a model who walked in the show but did not wear the controversial piece, took to her Instagram, saying that the noose evoked lynching and suicide.

"Suicide is not fashion," the model wrote. "It is not glamorous nor edgy and since this show is dedicated to the youth expressing their voice, here I go."

"How could anyone overlook this and think it would be okay to do this especially in a line dedicated to young girls and youth," the model complained.

A screenshot of Liz Kennedy's Instagram. /Photo via Instagram

Marco Gobbetti, the brand's chief executive, said in a statement on Tuesday that Burberry was “deeply sorry for the distress.”

“Though the design was inspired by the marine theme that ran throughout the collection, it was insensitive and we made a mistake,” he added.

The CEO said he has called Kennedy to apologize as soon as he became aware of her concerns on Monday.

Riccardo Tisci, the brand's creative director, also apologized over the hoodie.

The collection, called "Tempest," is Tisci's second for the brand. The clothes were a mix of classic, severely tailored ensembles to more trendy street-inspired looks aimed at younger consumers.

Kennedy and other critics said the company should have known better.

A model wearing the controversial hoodie by Burberry at the Autumn/Winter 2019 fashion week runway show in London. /AP Photo

"A massive brand like Burberry who is typically considered commercial and classy should not have overlooked such an obvious resemblance. I left my fitting extremely triggered after seeing this look. Feeling as though I was right back where I was when I was going through an experience with suicide in my family," Kennedy wrote on Instagram.

She said she asked to speak to somebody about it and was told to write a letter.

The gaffe comes after Gucci removed a sweater from the market last week after complaints that the oversized collar designed to cover the face resembled blackface makeup. In December, Prada stopped selling baubles that also prompted complaints of racist imagery.

Those two companies have announced initiatives to foster cultural diversity and awareness among their employees to avoid future missteps.

(With input from AP)