Cultural Appropriation – The Ultimate Fashion Faux Pas

Women’s fashion retailer Topshop caused a huge spark of controversy this week by introducing an item of clothing known as a ‘romper’ in the print of a Keffiyeh. Shoppers were outraged by the use of the Keffiyeh scarf pattern and instantly began interrogating staff about their ignorance, claiming that the brand were culturally appropriating to commercialize. The Keffiyeh is a scarf often worn by Pro-Palestinian activists and is a symbol of Palestinian nationalism.

Topshop introduced this controversially patterned romper into their festival wear collection this week just in time for the Coachella Music Festival season in California. Music festivals, particularly Coachella, have always been heavily scrutinised in the media for cultural appropriation. These festivals are vastly becoming a staple of youth culture and are a renowned breeding ground for new fashion trends. But unfortunately, the pressure to look as individual as possible for these events has created further pressure on the fashion industry. This has lead to a ‘panic’ that they must create the most chic and cool festival fashions in time for this season. Unfortunately in order to create the perfect festival style, rather than being original it has lead to a vast amount of appropriation from various cultures.

Urban Outfitters had previously caused a huge uproar by releasing a line of women’s scarves also with the Keffiyeh pattern. They caused further outrage by calling it the ‘anti-war scarf.’ This outrage was caused due to fact the Keffiyeh has terrorist connotations. Ever since the founder of the Fatah terrorist group entered the UN armed with a gun and the Keffiyeh on his head, the Keffiyeh has become a symbol of Palestinian political violence. Both Tophop and Urban Outfitters were accused of trivialising the Keffiyeh as mere fashion. Unfortunately, Urban Outfitters did not recall their ‘anti-war scarf’ they simply just renamed it.

Topshop has not yet commented on their offensive item of clothing however this is not the first time that the company have been scrutinised for cultural appropriation. Topshop angered customers previously by selling a highly offensive ‘head charm necklace’ that featured a string of heads portraying a racist early 19th Century stereotype of East Asians. The store claimed that this necklace was ‘vintage style’ and was not intended to be racist. However, due to the mass critical responses it was taken down from the shelves. Topshop have caused equal uproar by insulting Hindu culture by releasing lines of jeweled bindis. The store were also accused of ripping off Native American culture by selling feathered Native American headdresses in their festival collection.

Unfortunately, it is very difficult to escape from cultural appropriation nowadays. It is also very difficult to distinguish the line between culture appreciation and appropriating culture. Some festivals such as the Montreal Osheaga have taken steps towards stopping cultural appropriation and have banned first nation headdresses from being worn to the event. Perhaps the answer to decreasing cultural appropriation is to educate people on the meaning of their clothing and why it may be considered offensive. As most people who cultural appropriate are unintentionally being offensive as they are unaware of the true meaning of their clothing.

For further information on what cultural appropriation is and what may be considered offensive listen below:

-Kaisey Elder