Fashion giant 'Gucci' just got embroiled in a controversy because of selling a rather 'avant-garde' sweater, which has been accused of being racist. 

Social media users expressed their displeasure because of Gucci's rather in-your-face 'ignorance' that could be clearly seen on the sweater design. 

Take a look at the controversial sweater here.

© Gucci

The Balaclava black wool sweater is conspicuous in its own right and covers the wearer's neck and most parts of the lower face. It has a cut-out on the lips, which has been fashioned with a red border, that resembles oversized lips. 

The sweater costs almost $900 and is supposed to be inspired by vintage ski-masks. People, however, have been trashing the design accusing it of bearing a close resemblance with 'Blackface'. For the uninitiated, Blackface is a form of theatrical make-up used predominantly by non-black performers to represent a caricature of a black person.

© Gucci

Unfortunately, for Gucci, the timing couldn't have been worse because it's the 'Black History Month', and a move like that just made sure that they have been dragged under the limelight, and not in a good way.

Gucci, however, has apologized and has withdrawn the product, as well as taken it off the shelves in their brick and mortar stores.

© Twitter

Interestingly, Prada had also faced a similar controversy recently, where their range of figurines called the 'Pradamalia' range was accused of bearing a close resemblance with 'monkey-like' figures with large red lips, that also evoked Blackface imagery.