For this Op-ed piece I would like to address the lack of diversity and the cultural appropriation that has been ongoing in the fashion industry for many years. This season’s past fashion week there several designers who incorporated African cultural in their shows, from the hair, to the jewelry, and overall theme.
Examples of this are Valentino’s spring/summer 2016 show displaying cornrowed hair and masai beading as well as Japanese designer Junya Watanabe, who intertwined kente and batik fabrics (which are traditionally found in West Africa) displayed his latest collection. The issue with these themes is that the models who are casted in these shows are either all white or a majority are all white.
Another new similar issue that has come up the Amy Schumer parody of Beyonce’s formation video that is being criticized for cultural appropriation.