Designer Waris Ahluwalia Reportedly Banned From Flight Because Of His Turban

. Photo: Getty Images

Waris Ahluwalia was on his way to New York for Fashion Week when he was denied entry on to his flight from Mexico after he refused to remove his turban to submit to security and screening.

The actor, model and designer posted a selfie to his Instagram account on Monday morning which showed his boarding pass with "SSSS" written on it. SSSS stands for Secondary Security Screening Selection — circled on the ticket.

"This morning in Mexico City I was told I could not board my @aeromexico flight to NYC because of my turban. #FearisanOpportunitytoEducate #humanrights #dignity #lovenotfear," he wrote alongside the photo.

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"This morning in Mexico City I was told I could not board my @aeromexico flight to NYC because of my turban. #FearisanOpportunitytoEducate #humanrights #dignity #lovenotfear," Waris Ahluwalia wrote alongside this photo. Photo: Instagram

The House Of Waris designer reportedly underwent the initial security screening process which included having his hands and the bottoms of his feet swabbed, however he was then asked to remove his turban, which he refused.

"That is not something that I would do in public,” the Grand Budapest Hotel actor told the New York Daily News. "That’s akin to asking someone to take off their clothes."

After refusing to remove his turban he was reportedly told: "You will not be flying Aero Mexico. You will need to book another flight."

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Waris Ahluwalia made headlines in 2013 when he became the first Sikh man to appear in a national Gap campaign. Photo: GAP

A spokesperson for AeroMexico has since confirmed that Ahluwalia was denied entry on to his flight, and says he was offered "alternatives" to reach his destination.

"About the situation of passenger Waris Ahluwalia, Aeromexico reports that he was asked to submit to screening and inspection before boarding, in strict compliance with TSA protocol," the spokesperson told Huffington Post.

"We have offered the passenger to alternatives to reach his destination as soon as possible. We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused by this incident."

"Dear NYC fashion week. I may be a little late as @aeromexico won’t let me fly with a turban. Don’t start the show without me," Ahluwalia wrote alongside a second photo. Photo: Instagram

The designer who is due to show at New York Fashion Week this week, also posted another photo from the airport, saying he might be "a little late".

"Dear NYC fashion week. I may be a little late as @aeromexico won’t let me fly with a turban. Don’t start the show without me."