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Offensive? Gun-themed fashion show criticized

Fashion is all about pushing boundaries (and causing general head-scratching) but one runway show in Milan has folks up in arms (bad pun?).German designer Phillipp Plein sent weapon-wielding models down his Autumn/Winter 2013 show during Milan Menswear Fashion Week on Monday. The tattooed, menacing-looking strutters carried automatic weapons, wore gas masks, and were even body-painted with slogans
Guns, face makeup and a lot of hair gel featured prominently in the Philipp Plein show.
Guns, face makeup and a lot of hair gel featured prominently in the Philipp Plein show.Tullio M. Puglia / Getty Images / Today
Too controversial for the runway? A model walks during the Philipp Plein show during Milan Fashion Week Menswear Autumn/Winter 2013 on Jan. 14 in Milan, Italy.
Too controversial for the runway? A model walks during the Philipp Plein show during Milan Fashion Week Menswear Autumn/Winter 2013 on Jan. 14 in Milan, Italy.Tullio M. Puglia / Getty Images / Today

Fashion is all about pushing boundaries (and causing general head-scratching) but one runway show in Milan has folks up in arms (bad pun?).

German designer Phillipp Plein sent weapon-wielding models down his Autumn/Winter 2013 show during Milan Menswear Fashion Week on Monday. The tattooed, menacing-looking strutters carried automatic weapons, wore gas masks, and were even body-painted with slogans such as "ONLY KILL FOR LOVE" and "LIFE'S A GAME AND IT'S NOT FAIR." And yes, they were emblazoned in ALL CAPS.

Was one not enough? One model got to hold two guns during the Philipp Plein show.
Was one not enough? One model got to hold two guns during the Philipp Plein show.Tullio M. Puglia / Getty Images / Today
Guns, face makeup and a lot of hair gel featured prominently in the Philipp Plein show.
Guns, face makeup and a lot of hair gel featured prominently in the Philipp Plein show.Tullio M. Puglia / Getty Images / Today

Several outlets and fashion fans say Plein's latest shock factor show isn't appreciated, especially in light of the Newton, Conn. school shootings.

"Fashion proved (once again) how painfully out of touch it can be with the rest of the world," wrote New York magazine reporter Hilary Moss. "If it were anyone other than Plein, we'd applaud him or her for trying to, uh, start a conversation about gun control." The Huffington Post chimed in with the same sentiment: "We're a little flabbergasted by [Plein's] latest shtick."

Plein is no stranger to controversy – his past stunts include opening a show with transgender model Lea T, and featuring identical male models making out in a print campaign. But did this recent show cross the line? Share your thoughts.

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From wild nail designs to colorful hair hues, makeup artists went all out when it came to beauty at New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013.
From wild nail designs to colorful hair hues, makeup artists went all out when it came to beauty at New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013.Brian Ach / Getty Images / Today