RESEARCH
“Something Borrowed or Stolen? Understanding Cultural Appropriation through the Lens of Power, Privilege and Race”
Cultural appropriation continues to be a major topic within the fashion industry, and although undergoing much debate, fashion brands are still being criticized for their bold insensitivity. It is my hope that this thesis will allow researchers to understand, that marginalized countries current reaction to the topic is a result of century long pillage of their cultures. And the importance of storytelling, empathy, and the consumer’s ability to unapologetically recognize their buying power and react to topics of discomfort.
Global Ethno-Scape Maintaining & Expressing Ethnic-Identity through Contemporary Fashion
Economic and cultural globalization, in the 21st century, has ushered in extreme awareness in almost every aspect of identity. For centuries, fashion has become the easiest and greatest catalyst of s
elf-expression. What is most intriguing is the ongoing immense pressure for individuals to quickly find their self-identities and voices in an ever changing society. As individuals move around and cross borders, maintaining and expressing their ethnic identities becomes even more sacred and important than ever before. This is a dimension, according to Arjun Appadurai, known as ethno-scape. And as we adapt ethno-cultures, and fashions from it, our self-identity becomes mixed and skewed over time. This paper will stimulate discussions about the global ethno-scape from a fashion perspective, and how our ability to imitate and morph, allows us to conform and differentiate, belong and isolate, ourselves within social groups and society.