There are many inquiries regarding what fashion is. Is it merely clothing or is it art? Fashion is often referred to as "the industry" - a creative expression of fashion brands and designers. It is a multinational company with a presence everywhere and the power to create economic waves.
Fashion has traditionally served as a cultural ambassador, deriving inspiration from it, supporting international travel, and communicating the goal or vision through visual design.
While the cultural exchange has opened trade all over the world, people have a chance to expand this industry by creating and bringing more never-before-seen novelties to inspire designs, which also easily contributes to cultural appropriation. The current state of cultural appropriation is a minefield for companies if they make any mistakes or commit any scandals.
Image of celebrities appropriated cultures
Using symbols, artifacts, genres, rituals, or technologies from a culture that is different from the one of the subject, Dr. Benedetta Morsiani, a research fellow in the department of Modern Languages and Cultures at Westminster University in London, defines cultural appropriation as "the act through which elements of a particular culture are utilized by others.."
Every year, during the fashion week season, cultural appropriation often appears.
This issue caused Victoria's Secret a lot of controversy in 2012. Specifically, in the show, "angel" Karlie Kloss wore a costume inspired by Native American. Long-legs 28-year-old wore leopard print lingerie and a heel-length chief's hat.
As soon as these images were circulated, the Native American residents - the Indians - were angry and harshly criticized the lingerie company. According to researchers, the fact that a white woman wears a hat reserved only for the male leader of the tribe is a serious insult to indigenous cultural values.
Victoria's Secret faced a huge wave of anger and was forced to cut Karlie Kloss's performance from the lingerie show's broadcast that year.
Image of celebrities appropriated cultures
Serkan Delice, a senior lecturer and research coordinator in the cultural and historical department at the London College of Fashion, believes that recent acts of racism and discrimination against people of color have led to an increased awareness of cultural appropriation.
REFERENCES:
(1) How Cultural Appropriation Became a Hot-button Issue for Fashion
(2) 11 Celebrities Who Have Been Accused of Cultural Appropriation
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