Emily Ratajkowski's Controversial Catwalk Stride Draws Fan Ire at Gucci Show
Model Emily Ratajkowski, aged 34, made a striking appearance on the runway for Gucci during Milan Fashion Week, but her performance quickly became the centre of a social media storm. Rather than celebrating the fashion house's fresh direction, spectators turned their attention to Ratajkowski's unconventional and heavily criticised walk, which many described as 'wobbly' and 'ridiculous'.
A Glittering Ensemble Overshadowed by Gait Criticism
Ratajkowski was clad in a dazzling silver bodycon dress, meticulously encrusted with crystals, which she paired with bedazzled high heels, elegant diamond earrings, and a matching purse. Her hair was styled in a sleek updo, with strands artfully framing half her face, complemented by bold, smokey eye makeup for a dramatic aesthetic. Despite this glamorous presentation, it was her strut down the catwalk that captured the public's fascination and sparked widespread mockery.
A clip from the show, shared on Dazed Fashion's Instagram page, rapidly amassed over 400,000 views and hundreds of comments. Fans did not hold back in their assessments. One observer remarked, 'Love her, but this isn't a runway walk,' while another concurred, 'Looks a little bit wonky.' The humour continued with comparisons to everyday struggles, such as 'When one of your heels breaks and you still have to get home,' and 'Drunk as f*** tryna walk home from the NYE party.' More pointed criticism included, 'Girl is struggling. No more runways for you, stick to commercial modeling,' and 'POV: walk of shame with no shame.'
Gucci's New Era Under Demna Faces Unexpected Distraction
The show marked a significant milestone as the first under Gucci's new artistic director, Demna, previously the creative force behind Balenciaga. In a pre-show open letter, Demna articulated his vision, describing the event as 'the birthday' of his creative direction for the brand. He emphasised a philosophy where heritage and fashion coexist harmoniously, stating, 'Here they are not opposites, they are lovers. Gucci only exists when both are in sync, when both nourish each other.' Demna further explained that this showcase introduced a universe of archetypes and dress codes intended to shape his design language moving forward, calling it a 'fully formed' foundation for his story at Gucci.
However, the intended focus on this brand-new era was diverted by the uproar over Ratajkowski's walk. The model, who once served as the face of a Gucci campaign in 2025, shared the runway with icons like Demi Moore and Kate Moss, yet it was her performance that dominated online discourse. This incident follows recent controversy for Gucci, which faced backlash earlier in the week for promoting the show with an AI-generated advertisement. That ad, disclosed as 'created with AI,' drew ire from fashion enthusiasts who argued it undermined the craftsmanship and artistry expected from a luxury brand valued at approximately $11.6 billion.
Critics of the AI ad voiced strong opinions, with one user stating, 'If you're going to call yourself a luxury brand and charge that much for your products, people expect artistry,' while another questioned, 'I thought the whole idea of luxury is doing things the hard way?' These reactions highlight ongoing tensions between traditional craftsmanship and modern technological shortcuts in the fashion industry.
Ultimately, while Gucci aimed to unveil a transformative vision under Demna's leadership, the event became mired in controversy, first over AI usage and then over Ratajkowski's catwalk technique. This dual backlash underscores the challenges luxury brands face in balancing innovation with consumer expectations, as even a high-profile model's walk can overshadow a meticulously planned showcase.
