An Iranian-born model faced backlash after she wore a dress that resembled a noose to protest executions in Iran.
Mahlagha Jaberi, 33, attended the 76th Cannes Film Festival and posted a photo on Instagram of herself wearing the dress for the event on May 29.
“76th Cannes Film Festival 2nd look. My dress designed by [Jila Saber]. We wanted to make a fashion statement to observe the glamour of Cannes, but more importantly, to bring media attention to the wrongful executions of Iranian people,” she wrote in the caption.
Continuing, she wrote, “Unfortunately, political statements are not allowed at the film festival and the security stopped me from showing the back of my dress, but the ‘noose’ meaning was well understood.”
The back of the dress included the statement, “Stop Executions,” according to the Toronto Sun.
In her post, Jaberi also added a hashtag calling for the end of executions in Iran.
As innocent Iranians are being executed, @MahlaghaJaberi thought it would be a good idea to wear a dress that has a noose sown into it and then film a seductive video using a song that has become an anthem for protestors.
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) May 29, 2023
Absolutely disgraceful all around.
And then to end the… pic.twitter.com/0gbbxk3GP5
Despite her efforts, Jaberi’s daring look faced backlash on Twitter.
Journalist Yashir Ali slammed her for how she chose to bring awareness.
Ali wrote in a tweet, along with a video of Jaberi showing off the dress: “As innocent Iranians are being executed [Mahlagha Jaberi] thought it would be a good idea to wear a dress that has a noose sown into it and then film a seductive video using a song that has become an anthem for protestors. Absolutely disgraceful all around. And then to end the video with ‘stop executions’ and no other context or information makes it unhelpful!”
As innocent Iranians are being executed, @MahlaghaJaberi thought it would be a good idea to wear a dress that has a noose sown into it and then film a seductive video using a song that has become an anthem for protestors.
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) May 29, 2023
Absolutely disgraceful all around.
And then to end the… pic.twitter.com/0gbbxk3GP5
Another user called Jaberi’s video “a seriously disturbed ad.”
“Trying to promote a brand on the blood of the innocent is tasteless, tacky, and just gross,” one user responded.
Another user referred to the video as “demonic.”
However, “Ukrainian patriot” Anton Gerashchenko praised Jaberi for her actions.
“Iranian-born model Mahlagha Jaberi arrived to Cannes Film Festival wearing a dress that resembled a noose – to draw attention to awful executions taking place in Iran. More than 200 people were executed in Iran this year alone. Another brave woman,” he wrote on Twitter.
Gerashchenko added, “Maybe if women were the majority in politics, there would be no more wars? What do you think?”
According to a report from Norway-based organization Iran Human Rights, Iran performed 300 executions in 2023 thus far.
The country has carried out at least 90 executions in the last 18 days, marking May as the “bloodiest month” in the nation over the last five years, according to the human rights group.
