Brand's cultural appropriation versus appreciation
That grey area in pop culture that leads to "woke-washing"
Fashion designers have profited from incorporating or copying cultural designs, often produced by poverty-stricken communities, to resell as “boho chic”, without acknowledging their origins or fairly compensating communities.
👎 "Woke-washing" much?
👎 Product reviews on Nordstrom are calling out the $395 embroidered cotton peasant-style ‘Anna’ top labelled as ‘Palestinian’.
“Light-blue embroidery pays tribute to Nili Lotan’s (Israeli, NY based designer) Middle East roots on this peasant-style top cut from lightweight woven cotton”, reads the description. It appears to resemble the cross-stitch motifs on the Palestinian thobe, a traditional embroidered dress handmade and worn by Palestinian women since the 11th century.
👎 Louis Vuitton pulled a $705 keffiyeh-style scarf from its virtual shelves after it was accused of culturally appropriation of Palestinian culture.
The traditional Arab headdress that’s become a symbol of Palestinian nationalism "is very near and dear to our hearts as Palestinians and to see it appropriated is highly offensive, especially during this time," the Council on American-Islamic Relations said.
👎 Portuguese State takes on fashion designer Tory Burch over a €695 “copy” of the traditional ‘camisola poveira’, a sweater typical among the fishing community of Póvoa de Varzim, initially promoted as inspired by the Mexico Baja.
👎 Mexican Ministry of Culture claims Zara used a pattern distinctive to the indigenous Mixteca community, without any benefit to the communities.
👎 Isabel Marant also had to apologise.
👎 Gucci gets roasted for selling embroidery Indian kurta for $3,500.
👎 Kim Kardashian is getting called out by people of the Hindu faith for participating in a photoshoot that used a sacred symbol. The "om" is considered one of the most important religious symbols, as the symbol of ultimate reality and consciousness.
🥒 Plant based sustainable fashion or art good enough to eat?