Cultural appropriation in the fashion industry

Cultural appropriation has been a growing controversy in the fashion industry over the last fifteen years.

One of the top ten issues in the fashion world today is cultural appropriation. However popular these new items may be fashion houses and designers fail to realize the negative impact it has. People are always looking for the latest trends and what new items they feel they must purchase in order to be deemed "fashionable" by societal standards. The fashion industry has been accused of becoming insensitive and unapologetic when it comes to cultural appropriation and encourages people to do the same all in the name for fashion.[1]

In 2012 during the annual Victoria's Secret fashion show, model Karlie Kloss was scrutinized for wearing a Native American headdress during her walk on the runaway. There was a mixed public response. People of mixed heritage were the most sensitive to headdress. USA Today ran a feature where they interviewed a woman of mixed heritage who said that the headdress is a symbol of leadership, honour and also has a religious meaning behind it. This cultural meaning was not considered in Victoria’s Secret use of the headdress as an accessory. Victoria's Secret issued an apology stating that they had no intentions of offending anyone.[2][3]

At the 2014 Coachella festival one of the most noted fashion trends was the bindi. The bindi is a traditional Hindu head mark and is a part of the religious culture of Hinduism. As pictures of the festival surfaced online there was public controversy over the casual wearing of the bindi. People were offended because they felt the people wearing the bindi do not understand the meaning behind it.[4]

Cause

Cultural appropriation is controversial in the fashion industry due to the fact that trends and styles seem to be increasingly inspired by different cultures. In response to this criticism, there has been industry pushback by some, claiming that this occurrence is in fact "culture appreciation.",[5] rather than cultural appropriation. Companies and designers claim the use of unique cultural symbols is an effort to recognize and pay homage to that specific culture.[6] There is debate about whether designers and fashion houses understand the history behind the clothing they are taking from different cultures. It is arguable that it is still offensive as consumers are not being educated on the cultural backgrounds of the styles borrowed from other cultures and unless the retailer or designer take the time to provide information regarding the history of the trends used, the items are being worn as a new fashion statement in the public.

See also

References

  1. ↑ (Xaxx, 2014.)
  2. ↑ (AP,2012)
  3. ↑ (This is a link to the photo of Karlie Kloss wearing a Native American headdress during the Victoria's Secret Fashion show.)
  4. ↑ (O'neil, 2014.)
  5. ↑ (Pham, 2014.)
  6. ↑ (Pham, 2014.)
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