Kérastase apologises after Emily Ratajkowski makes ‘disrespectful’ comment in new campaign

'This is so narrow-minded'

(Getty Images for GQ)

Emily Ratajkowski has come under fire for promoting her new Kérastase campaign in an Instagram post in which she claimed hair was a “fundamental part of femininity”.

The model and actress announced her partnership with the brand on Tuesday alongside a black and white portrait shot and the following caption: “Hair is a fundamental part of beauty, femininity and identity.”

After receiving a barrage of criticism from fans claiming her comment was offensive to people who suffer from hair loss, the 26-year-old beauty has since changed the caption.

Commenters accused Ratajkowski and Kérastase of being insensitive to cancer patients and people who have lost their hair due to other disorders.

“Some people have hair pulling disorders, cancer, or other reasons why they can't/don't want to grow their hair,” one person wrote.

“Please be considerate to them. Beauty is skin deep.”

“Hair has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with beauty - beauty comes from within, strength & intelligence,” another added.

Others lambasted Ratajskowski for being “narrow-minded and disrespectful”, claiming she must’ve never had a loved one lose their hair as a result of chemotherapy.

Hours after she posted the image, Ratajkowski edited the caption to read: “So excited to announce that I am the new face of @kerastase_official! Welcome good hair days!”

Responding to angry commenters, a spokesperson for Kérastase has been issuing apologies on the brand’s own Instagram page.

“We are deeply sorry for offending our fans and followers – it was absolutely not our intention,” they wrote in response to one person.

“As our new muse, Emily, says, ‘everyone is uniquely beautiful in their own way’, and we agree wholeheartedly.

“We sincerely apologise and appreciate that you have called us out. We have learned from this and we will do better in the future.”

Writing in response to another infuriated follower, Kérastase retracted their claims that beauty was synonymous with femininity, adding: “Of course beauty is not defined by your hair, beauty is something more spiritual, beauty is an attitude coming from inside each of us.”

The Independent has contacted Kérastase for comment.