News
x
Narjas Zatat
1538992800

Picture:
Fashion Nova screegrab and Twitter
Online clothing company Fashion Nova is being criticised for a culturally insensitive Halloween costume.
The retailer has decided to use a traditional ceremonial Japanese dress as partywear.
Using a mishmash of detail from Japanese culture, the ‘Geisha’ costume features a kimono-looking dress tied together with an obi sash that reveals a miniskirt underneath.
The look is finished off with hair sticks and retails at $50 (£38).
Just, no.
Geishas are part of the fabric of Japanese cultural tradition: Geishas are highly trained female musicians who historically used dance and singing as a form of entertainment.
People online are calling out the company for cultural appropriation.
@FashionNova WHAT ARE YOU THINKING, DO YOU CARE TO COMMENT ? FASHION NOVA SPARKS CONTROVERSY WITH ‘RACIALLY INSEN… https://t.co/fuTwJ9I9Dp— Models Of Diversity (@Models Of Diversity) 1538993364
@danqdao @TeenVogue They even got the side of the costume wrong (right over left instead of the other way round). I mean they always do.— Hà Thảo Nguyên (@Hà Thảo Nguyên) 1538472861
Fashion Nova's Sexy Geisha Halloween Costume Sparks Controversy: Fashion Nova is selling a geisha costume within it… https://t.co/lYYBNjDJvx— Anti Aging Tips (@Anti Aging Tips) 1538590873
@ellle_em @Polychromantium “I dressed up as a geisha as a teen, are you going to tell me that’s racist now.” Yes Susan, I am.— Dr. Julia Hudson (don’t call me kiddo) (@Dr. Julia Hudson (don’t call me kiddo)) 1537010608
Other people criticised the look for its short skirt, as the sexualised outfit could perpetuate the misconception that geisha are sex workers.
Fashion Nova did not immediately return a request for comment.
More: A white woman was harassing two Hispanic women in a supermarket. Then something incredible happened
More: Trump says it's 'a very scary time for young men in America' and everyone is making the same point
Keep reading...Show less
Top 100
The Conversation (0)