Showing posts tagged cultural appropriation
Large troddel by Carolyn Massey, $160.00 at Opening Ceremony. What the hell is a troddel?  A quick googling brought me to WWII era German bayonet accessories, which scared the shit out of little Jewish me.  Further googling, however, lead to me realizing that “troddel” was simply German for “tassel”.  So, I guess I overreacted on the purpose of the “troddel”.  It is useless.  It is an ornamental tchotchke to throw on your purse or keychain.  A bauble that costs 160 bucks.

Large troddel by Carolyn Massey, $160.00 at Opening Ceremony.

What the hell is a troddel?  A quick googling brought me to WWII era German bayonet accessories, which scared the shit out of little Jewish me.  Further googling, however, lead to me realizing that “troddel” was simply German for “tassel”.  So, I guess I overreacted on the purpose of the “troddel”.  It is useless.  It is an ornamental tchotchke to throw on your purse or keychain.  A bauble that costs 160 bucks.

Fashion Failure Poll Time!!!!

Tell me, which of these two looks is more offensive to Native Americans?

Dreamcatcher skirt by Ann-Sofie Back, $285 at Acrimony or

Long sleeve suede fringe dress by Oasis, $170.94 at Asos

There is a very blurry line between taking your inspiration from another culture and complete, offensive appropriation.  Everyone defines it differently, but these brands, both European, seem to be playing fast and loose.  Whether or not you find them offensive, they are both ugly, and turn culture into costume.

“Aztec” ring by Low Luv x Erin Wasson, $68.00 at Shopbop. The last time I posted something for its name, I got mixed reactions.  I got a lot of messages from people who enjoyed the name and thought it was funny.  This is a totally different situation.  First of all, I have to say I actually love the ring.  I really like the Egyptian motifs.  Yes, I said Egyptian.  So why is it called an “Aztec” ring?  At first, I thought this may be a mistake on the part of Shopbop, but then I went to the manufacturer’s website which lists it the same.  I don’t know why Wasson decided to call this an Aztec ring.  The cartouche features Egyptian hieroglyphs, which do not resemble Aztec glyphs at all.  It is not as if other pieces in the collection don’t have overtly Egyptian themes.  It is just an odd decision that confuses me as an art and archeology aficionado.  Again, I like the ring, but I like it because I love ancient Egypt.

“Aztec” ring by Low Luv x Erin Wasson, $68.00 at Shopbop.

The last time I posted something for its name, I got mixed reactions.  I got a lot of messages from people who enjoyed the name and thought it was funny.  This is a totally different situation.  First of all, I have to say I actually love the ring.  I really like the Egyptian motifs.  Yes, I said Egyptian.  So why is it called an “Aztec” ring?  At first, I thought this may be a mistake on the part of Shopbop, but then I went to the manufacturer’s website which lists it the same.  I don’t know why Wasson decided to call this an Aztec ring.  The cartouche features Egyptian hieroglyphs, which do not resemble Aztec glyphs at all.  It is not as if other pieces in the collection don’t have overtly Egyptian themes.  It is just an odd decision that confuses me as an art and archeology aficionado.  Again, I like the ring, but I like it because I love ancient Egypt.

White tribal wedges by Jeffrey Campbell, $150.00 exclusively at Karmaloop. In recent years, Jeffrey Campbell has made a name for himself as the Steve Madden of edgier designs.  His shoes knock off Ann Demeulemeester, Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony, and Acne among others.  This pair takes Givenchy’s tribal print wedges, and reproduces it in a cheap, plastic leather.  The print is over the top, and it only works on the Givenchys because of the luxurious material, which the Campbells lack.  They then covered the wedge in common thumbtacks, and not even well as some of the tacks overlap poorly.  I have seen more steady hands on blogger diys.  All in all, it makes for on hot mess of a shoe.

White tribal wedges by Jeffrey Campbell, $150.00 exclusively at Karmaloop.

In recent years, Jeffrey Campbell has made a name for himself as the Steve Madden of edgier designs.  His shoes knock off Ann Demeulemeester, Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony, and Acne among others.  This pair takes Givenchy’s tribal print wedges, and reproduces it in a cheap, plastic leather.  The print is over the top, and it only works on the Givenchys because of the luxurious material, which the Campbells lack.  They then covered the wedge in common thumbtacks, and not even well as some of the tacks overlap poorly.  I have seen more steady hands on blogger diys.  All in all, it makes for on hot mess of a shoe.