Having, I guess, somehow missed the last million Native American appropriation controversies in the fashion industry, Heidi Klum recently had contestants on Germany's Next Top Model travel to Utah and pose as sexy/high-fashion stereotypes of indigenous people. Sigh.
The daughter of Oklahoma's governor, Christina Fallin, is taking well-deserved heat for posting a picture of herself in a Native American headdress on Instagram.
Well, here's a pretty clear way to articulate your disgust with the fashion industry's penchant for cultural appropriation: yesterday, as part of men's fashion week in Paris, Belgian designer Walter van Beirendonck sent two models down the runway in large headdresses that read "STOP RACISM."
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--fO_mCVJU--/c_fill,g_center,h_358,w_636/1968f150uatcvjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--FmPfrT9_--/c_fill,g_center,h_180,w_320/1968f150uatcvjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--e09mRhSP--/c_fill,g_center,h_77,w_137/1968f150uatcvjpg.jpg, (large)])
Livenation just dropped a couple promos for Miley Cyrus' upcoming BANGERZ tour, and it could be considered a case study in 1) the mechanics of ass-first human movement, 2) the effects of continued not giving "AF" and cherry-picking hip-hop tokens like Mario after a Super Star power-up and, 3) my tolerance for shitty…
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--ibsrRW9D--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/195jpsu3vbyhypng.png, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--ItlHnkVR--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/195jpsu3vbyhypng.png, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--CKjf-oZx--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/195jpsu3vbyhypng.png, (large)])
In honor of Thanksgiving, a chain of tanning salons in Alabama and Florida has launched a holiday-themed ad campaign that is both offensively stupid and stupidly offensive. "The Indians brought more than just 'CORN' to the first Thanksgiving," reads the copy, "they brought SEXY 'COLOR'!" Ugh, the unnecessary quotation…
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--cQjH1nFN--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/1950pcu89i8vojpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--MPdN1U0i--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/1950pcu89i8vojpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--VfekRmcn--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/1950pcu89i8vojpg.jpg, (large)])
American Apparel is a great place to go if you want at least one person in false glasses to stare at you while you nervously rifle through some sheer bloomers. American Apparel is not a great place to go if you enjoy respecting and honoring other cultural traditions. Case in point: the retailer has recently attracted…
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--S9ZSdJJZ--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18yc4nts6vosqjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--kwSmEPNy--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18yc4nts6vosqjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--c-d9eWZK--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18yc4nts6vosqjpg.jpg, (large)])
Imagine this: After producing an event offensive to Native Americans, Paul Frank is now working with Native American artists and designers — going from cultural appropriation to cultural appreciation.
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--sLL5xBpe--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18whldqcg6df0jpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--s9j2-gvS--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18whldqcg6df0jpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--u8szSRrE--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18whldqcg6df0jpg.jpg, (large)])
Another day, another offensive fashion incident involving headdresses. This time, H&M has angered aboriginals in Canada by selling feathered headgear.
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--XwuxtoAk--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18waqs2o7oxvyjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--DK503PIi--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18waqs2o7oxvyjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--_IvMZv1m--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18waqs2o7oxvyjpg.jpg, (large)])
Lady Gaga's increasingly daft and desperate attempts to be "shocking" and "thought-provoking" have reached a new nadir. The Italian-American singer/conceptual fashion embryo has been trying to make "burqa swag" happen for a while by traipsing around in burqa-like garments; now, a track that's allegedly leaked from her…
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--P9XTAKIn--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18vdatcryebmejpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--r33-g6kd--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18vdatcryebmejpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--Xr8s-Mb9--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18vdatcryebmejpg.jpg, (large)])
Selena Gomez turned 21 over the weekend, and on Saturday night, she threw a "gypsy"-themed birthday party. Uh… is that okay?
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--XOo5Zs3z--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18rip48ys9tvejpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--gthQr3Ix--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18rip48ys9tvejpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--2l8Os-mO--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18rip48ys9tvejpg.jpg, (large)])
I recently walked into Topshop and was greeted by a pack of headdress-adorned mannequins congregating around a tepee. Seriously? Big brands are still reappropriating war bonnets, even though so many prominent designers and companies have publicly apologized for doing just that? Why won't the hipster headdress die…
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--RuXgR35x--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18h9g8n9hsgapjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--qCa-6j5u--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18h9g8n9hsgapjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--ZBgEJ1uz--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18h9g8n9hsgapjpg.jpg, (large)])
Now I've really seen it all. Michelle Williams is on the cover of AnOther Magazine, in apparent Redface. Michelle burst into the spotlight when she was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in Brokeback Mountain (2005). Later, she was nominated for Oscars for her work in Blue Valentine (2010) and …
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--_kNFza-D--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18g66gj9rnllajpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--MGUK0DGZ--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18g66gj9rnllajpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--uFkq-yqf--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18g66gj9rnllajpg.jpg, (large)])
Numéro magazine has issued an apology of sorts for the African Queen editorial in the March 2013 issue, in which Ondria Hardin, a 16-year-old, blond-haired, blue-eyed model, was shot with her skin darkened. But the magazine's message — and a message from the photographer himself — only further complicate the issue.
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--tgXwSngO--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/1857ph2f7af3npng.png, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s---m9oKA7b--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/1857ph2f7af3npng.png, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--7ITitH_e--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/1857ph2f7af3npng.png, (large)])
This fall alone, Paul Frank served "Rain Dance Refresher" cocktails at a "Pow Wow"-themed fashion week event, ASOS debuted a "Go Native" Navajo-inspired line with cringe-inducing copy, and Karlie Kloss walked the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show runway in a floor-length war bonnet and not much else. Why are fashion brands so…
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--QZ2_2297--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/1853khmpjge56jpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--Wdz0r0Pz--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/1853khmpjge56jpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--Wlv-Kqcb--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/1853khmpjge56jpg.jpg, (large)])
Last week, the 2012 Victoria's Secret Fashion show was held in New York, recorded to air on network television on December 4. During the show, model Karlie Kloss wore a Native American headdress. Outrage at the offensive costume was immediate; over the weekend, Victoria's Secret apologized and said the televised…
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s---7vwzpLK--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/184hxv061byvfjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--HjlxuCEL--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/184hxv061byvfjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--n2vqokVe--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/184hxv061byvfjpg.jpg, (large)])
The Denver-based boutique and online retailer Goldyn recently sent its fall lookbook to a variety of bloggers. The lookbook featured two models posing in front of teepees, while wearing Plains Indian-style headdresses (along with Helmut Lang sweaters, Cynthia Vincent dresses, and T by Alexander Wang dresses, of…
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--ccwkxugK--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/1815e7ubdwfbljpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--YtNlLZRO--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/1815e7ubdwfbljpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--g_ITCQ0J--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/1815e7ubdwfbljpg.jpg, (large)])
U.K. online retailer ASOS has become the latest fashion brand to jump on the dubious "trend" for Native American-inspired clothing.
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s---YULaM5O--/c_fill,g_center,h_358,w_636/18ivw4j1nma9rjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--cGc4-6Z---/c_fill,g_center,h_180,w_320/18ivw4j1nma9rjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--ofnH8q0q--/c_fill,g_center,h_77,w_137/18ivw4j1nma9rjpg.jpg, (large)])
Last week, Kim Kardashian's momager, Kris Jenner, appeared on GMA and was asked whether or not Kim would be asked to return her large engagement ring. Jenner's response: "I hate an Indian giver. It's a gift, you know." The National Congress Of American Indians issued a statement regarding the phrase "indian giving,"…
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s---VyjcMRY--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18iw77f4ld8qfjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--tagpom01--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18iw77f4ld8qfjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--FDkgB34e--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18iw77f4ld8qfjpg.jpg, (large)])
Urban Outfitters may have changed the names of their non-Navajo-made "Navajo" products, but in the October issues, Navajo is still super cool.
In the October issue of , a caption reads, "Pixelated and magnified, a Najavo print becomes infinitely more modern." Infinitely! There is literally no limit to how modern these…], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--pzSh2y7k--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18iwulzanv51ajpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--NoIMEDZW--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18iwulzanv51ajpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--BkpkpadV--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18iwulzanv51ajpg.jpg, (large)])
September's here, which means Halloween is right around the corner. And the Wishcraft kiddie costume catalog turned up in my mailbox, with an elegantly undead family on the cover and some interesting costumes inside. Vampires, ghosts and cultural appropriation, oh my! And just when you thought it was safe to take a…
