Kim Kardashian's kimonos: celebrity cultural appropriation

Kim K is in trouble for her new clothing brand

Stars Insider

28/06/19 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Cultural appropriation

Pop culture is a melting pot where cultures and customs fuse and coexist. However, when borrowing is done in bad taste, it's called something a little different: cultural appropriation. It's been a hot topic in recent years, and power dynamics between majority and minority cultures are now being discussed more openly than ever.

Frequently accused of cultural appropriation is reality icon Kim Kardashian. The starlet has been criticized for wearing her hair in braids, a hairstyle tied to Fula culture from Africa. People also found a problem with Kim's Instagram photos, showing her draped in an Indian headpiece. Kim has also been criticized for not being sensitive about racial issues. In the past, photos of the star have been allegedly edited to give her darker skin. But Kim isn't oblivious to the claims, telling Bustle that "I'm not tone deaf to where I don't get it. I do get it."

That said, Kim K is back in the news thanks to her new clothing brand, Kimono Intimates. The clothing brand has been criticized for its name, which references the traditional Japanese clothing item. Kardashian isn't selling kimonos, but bodysuits, a fact which some have found offensive. Speaking to the BBC, expert Yuka Ohishi said "[This] shapewear doesn't even resemble a kimono - she just chose a word that has Kim in it - there's no respect to what the garment actually means in our culture." Cultural appropriation is pretty divisive, so what do you think? Click on, and be the judge of these curious cultural appropriation cases.

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