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| August Issue of Harper Bazaar China |
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| August Issue of Harper Bazaar China |
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| August Issue of Harper Bazaar China |
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| Credit: thetrademarkninja |
Multicultural understanding is exactly what drives my blog, Diverse
Customer. There is a thin line between appreciating the culture and
appropriating it. As is evident I have written about this subject umpteen
times. It keeps popping everywhere now primarily because of Diversity &
Inclusion which is a serious topic in modern times and some global brands are realizing it that they
can't stride the tide, no more :)
My role as a D&I professional is to put in place and
maintain a wide range of initiatives and identify priorities for the brands and
influencers I work with to ensure that their products and services are not
exploiting any culture purely for financial benefit. This is true because big
brands and celebrities cut and commercialize pieces of culture out of habit and entitlement. We
have seen big fashion brands take inspiration for their fashion from different
cultures without even acknowledging or even giving credit to the artisanal
benefits they derive out of those cultures. That is pure exploitation. Just an
example of how the appropriation persists.
Rihanna on the cover of August Issue of Harper Bazaar China is
not cultural appropriation. Those in doubt should ask- Is she showing any
disrespect or mocking the Chinese culture like Dolce & Gabbana did?
Is there any inappropriate in her poses or gestures in those
clothes. I don’t see the problem except that it’s stunning! This is a
collaboration with people of the culture she's portraying, so this definitely
isn't appropriation. If there was an example of how to show appreciation for
another culture, this is got to be it in my opinion.
Kim's Kim-oh-no act not as much. Kimono is the pride of
Japanese culture. From the elaborate hand-work done on it to even the ritual of
wearing a Kimono is special. It's not just a garment..its a tradition. Naming a solutionwear by
taking away its cultural nuance and then seeking a trademark on the name that is
an integral part of the Japanese culture is definitely culture appropriation.
For the sake of argument, culture is not anyone's private
property. If someone wants to appreciate your culture, be gracious and
compliment. Rihanna is not disrespectful and neither is Kim for that matter.
However, symbols of other cultures are always appreciated by those who get
exposed to them. Rihanna is appreciating the cultural heritage while Kim was trying to own it, cut and commercialize it by making it all about her. Actually, was, now that good sense
has prevailed and she is changing the name of her shapewear line! After the backlash.
All peace now! - Amit Anand
Read some more if this topic interests you, my dear reader:
Amazon : Shame On You! Hindu Gods on toilet seats? This is definitely gross!
Dolce & Gabbana,The Chopsticks Controversy and The Ethnocentrism Row. Why #ChinaHatesDG
Diverse Customer: The Dramatic Eye Rolling Moment: The Prom Dress, Qipao Vs the New Vultures of Cultures
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