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The word ‘unconventional’ has made a buzz this year - from fashion to beauty, every brand is trying to not only be inclusive but also come up with never-seen-before campaigns. However, one designer has found out the hard way that even in creative endeavours, there are limits.
Bridal gown shop owner, identified as Nur Amirah Mohd Amiruddin had models posing for her latest collection at a cemetery but the kind of media attention she received was not what she anticipated.
A video of several women dressed elegantly in Malay wedding gowns while posing beside tombstones went viral on social media and users were not having it. Many claimed that the video was blasphemous and in bad taste.
Video courtesy The Star Online via YouTube
After the video went viral and unhappy social media users made their views known, Nur Amirah deactivated her Facebook account and changed her Instagram page to private.
According to The Star Online, the photo shoot took place at a Christian cemetery at St Louis Church Kluang. The priest of the Catholic Church spoke out about the matter and said, “The church is aware outsiders were at the graveyard that day and had taken photos and videos. I spoke to them and advised them not to publish anything online.”
A model poses during the graveyard bridal photo shoot. Screenshot courtesy Twitter via @chrissytwittwit
The Priest added that the women apologised and left soon after they were spotted at the cemetery and the church has forgiven them.
According to Johor Criminal Investigation Department Chief Senior Assistant Comm Md Yusof Ahmad, “The act of trespassing into the cemetery of other religions has become a sensitive issue.”
Those involved could face a jail term of one year, fine or both, upon conviction.
Nur Amirah has since issued a five minute video sending her apologies to the church and the community.
“Please do not blame the models, photographers and make-up artist, they do not know anything, and I admit what I did was wrong. I wish the pictures and videos could be deleted, even though I know it is impossible,” she says. In her statement with the police, she reportedly said she was trying to do something out of the ordinary with the photo shoot.
According to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998 the person who took the video could also be fined RM50 000 (R200 000) or given a jail term not exceeding one year or both if found guilty on the accord of posting threatening content.
No one has been arrested however, the authorities will continue to investigate the gate.
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Sources: The Star Online, CMA, YouTube
