Is Your Outfit "Culturally Appropriate"?

In recent decades, many top designers and celebrities have faced accusations of cultural appropriation. But when it comes to fashion, what is cultural appropriation and where does the fine line between acceptable and non acceptable lie, let’s find out.

Every cultural exchange is unequal, from the respectfully borrowed to the outright stolen. The primary purpose of culture has always been identification. Although cultural exchange is a unifying experience, and cultures thrive by sharing and connecting with each other, culture serves a greater purpose than just connection between one community and another. It contains, nurtures and represents a long history, traditions and experiences of a particular society. But the main question still remains what is cultural appropriation? It can be simply defined as the act of taking or using things from a culture that is not your own especially without showing that you understand or respect this culture.

Recently, when Zendaya sported dreadlocks there were certain comments on how she smelled like weed and patchouli which exposed the duality of perceptions in society. Another incident which stood out was when American celebrities, Kylie Jenner and Kendall Jenner appropriated black culture in the form of dreadlocks, Yaki ponytails and afros. But the reason for which it stood out was because many workers and students are fired because of dreadlocks or rather appearing different.

Additionally, many modelling shows including Victoria’s Secret was questioned by the tabloid press for inappropriately inducing Native American headdress in an outfit and hence the shot featuring supermodel Miranda Kerr was removed while broadcasting. Gucci too had been under the radar a number of times for including the turbans worn by Sikhs during a show. These behaviours by leading fashion-houses are testimony to our ignorance about what is offensive and what are sacred to cultures.

Even celebrities like Selena Gomez were subjected to a lot of hate for wearing a bindi during her 2014 MTV performance, and again at Coachella. Beyonce, received a mixed opinion from netizens for wearing traditional Indian outfit during the Hymn for the Weekend music video by ColdPlay. The celebrity however took to social media to explain that she was really inspired by the culture of India and promoted the fact that she was appreciating the culture instead of simply misappropriating.

The reason why it hurts people and communities as it downplays historical oppression. The society which applauds celebrities and models of the dominant race for including these things oppresses children with natural hair to be straightened to ‘fit in’ with others.

The debate however boils down to the fact that appropriating a culture is always a choice not a societal convention. It is important that we register that feelings of a few privileged races cannot supersede justice for the oppressed and if cultures are to be shared it must take place in a respectful manner.