Ethnic Fashion – Ethical?
By: Aida Solomon

The fashion world is prone to controversy when it comes to incorporating ethnic fashion in the latest trends. While some may see it as positive to have clothing from other cultures make it into the mainstream public eye, others see such fashion trends as appropriation and unethical to the garment’s origins and it’s people.

Urban Outfitters, the widely popular hipster chic apparel store, has recently been hit with criticism for advertising a “Vintage 90 Line Dress” online for a hefty $200 price tag, when it is clear by the embroidery and material of the dress to be a traditional garment from the Tigrinya tribe of Ethiopia and Eritrea. An online petition was quickly formed to have the dress appropriately label, however the dress was sold to an unknown buyer.

Spring 2013 has also labeled African Ankara prints as one of its hottest new trends. Superstar Beyonce was spotted rocking a pair of skintight print shorts, as well as reality vixen Draya Michelle and rocker Gwen Stefani. The loud and colorful print can be worn as every part of an outfit and is deeply rooted in West African culture.

In the summer of 2012 Adidas has to issue an apology after Jeremy Scott designed a “JS Roundhouse Mid” sneaker that included a shocking twist—a pair of gold handcuffs to be attached at the ankle above the shoe. Outcry of the similarity of the handcuffs to the shackles worn by slaves, forced the retailers to completely drop the shoes before it was to be released in August. The Spring 2013 Dolce and Gabbana collection also set a wave of controversy when “Blackamoor Inspired Earrings” featured on models hit the runway. The collection, an ode to colonial Sicily, not only failed to feature any models of color, but the “Aunt Jemima” figured earrings added to the mix left people with a sour taste in their mouth.

So when European models strut down the runway in these traditional outfits, is it a creative interpretation of the designer? Or a cultural symbol being renamed and redistributed? It is a very fine line between the two, and is important for all of us, both designers and consumers, to exercise responsibility when wearing clothing that represents a history and a culture.