Chanel's boomerang made Australian aboriginal community furious

The fact that Chanel, over the years, has produced a multitude of objects for very different use is nothing new – just like golf balls and tennis rackets, but also rugby ball, a metal basket for groceries and surfboards - but, this time, it seems to have gone a little too far with its irony. 

For its SS17 pre-collection, the French Maison has created a black boomerang printed with the iconic logo, put up for sale for the modest price of 1.260 euros. Despite it was not the first time that Chanel produces a boomerang, fans of the brand and the whole Web, didn't appreciate the unusual glamorous accessory, causing a real controversy against the maison. 

The charge launched by people is that of cultural appropriation and very offensive action against an object-symbol of the Australian aboriginal culture – created as hunting weapon. Well, not exactly a luxury accessory. Even Gabrielle Sullivan, chief executive of Art Code, an organisation who aims to protect the Astralian aboriginal culture, expressed her opinion about it: "It's simply a misappropriation of aboriginal culture. Chanel is a big company and they really should know better. I don't see how this is different from a cheap fake boomerang sold at the airport. It's just an expensive version of this”.

Finally Chanel has decided to reply to allegations with an official statement, saying: 

“Chanel is extremely committed to respecting all cultures, and deeply regrets that some may have felt offended. The inspiration was taken from leisure activities from other parts of the world and it was not our intention to disrespect the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and the significance of the boomerang as a cultural object”.

Adding that the boomerang of contention is part of a range of sporty accessories for the Spring collection, including beach rackets and Sup boards. 

Well, it's exactly we call "boomerang effect".