Top 10 Native Appropriations in Fashion for 2011

It's that time of year! When everyone posts their Top 10 of 2011 Lists, and here is my list of the top Native appropriations in fashion for 2011 (take THAT, Los Angeles Times!):

10. Forever 21's Cheap Knock-Offs: We can always count on Forever 21 to give us some great cheap options for any fashion trend. I even make my students go to F21 as part of a Tribal Trend Scavenger Hunt assignment. They never fail to bring in stellar images of some wacky fringed and feathered bodily ruckus.

9. Suzy Menkes and the S-Word: Fashion critic and writer Suzy Menkes selects the wrong choice of words, and her slur flies completely under the radar.

8. Pendleton's Collaboration with Those Hipster Companies: Oh, Pendleton. Our entangled epic relationship continues.

7. Spirit Hoods: I never blogged about these weird fluffy critters that hipsters love to wear on their heads while they're seeking vision quests at the latest music festival. But Adrienne Keene did over at Native Appropriations, and her interactions with the Spirit Hood Tribal Chief is hilarious.

6. Vogue's Indians: Vogue editors everywhere fell in love with the Indian and decided to do some fashion spreads in homage. The problem is that they chose to use non-Native designers, non-Native models, non-Native photographers, non-Native stylists and make-up artists, and non-Native consultants and editors.

5. Red-on-Red Art Crime: (Mis)Appropriation happens all across the board, and in every direction, and in this post from earlier in December, a Native artist/businessman steals a design from a well-known Metis artist to create accessories to sell on Zazzle.

4. The Callaloo Parade: Native-themed parades were all the rage this summer (remember when the Pride boys filled their float with Cowboys and Indians in Santa Fe?), but one in particular really stuck out for me. It was the Callaloo Caribana Parade held in Toronto, where 'sanctioned' hyper-sexualized costumes included the 'Native Apache' and the 'Sacrificial Mayan Virgin.' So, of course, I investigated the sexualization of Native women in fashion, from a critical perspective.

3. Proenza Schouler's Creepy Indians Video: Oh lawrd. When this one dropped I didn't know what to do. I think we all just scratched our heads. Some people tried to tell us that this video was 'clever,' but... I disagree.

2. White Women (and Men) and Headdresses: The headdress trend continues, despite being overtly disrespectful. Sigh. So I began researching the history of this annoying trend.

1. Urban Outfitters' Navajo Obsession: The short version: UO becomes obsessed with Navajos, Navajos send them a cease and desist letter, UO ignores, bloggers and writers wage digital war. Well, if it wasn't for this case, we wouldn't have this gem of a quote: "Don't claim Navajo, unless it's Navajo, and you ain't Navajo. So knock if off." Yea, knock it off.

BONUS: Genocide Chic Satire: Hilarity ensues when mock high fashion designer DW Diaz dips the old crusty past in some glitter!



Let's hope that none of these "top trends in Native appropriations in fashion" drag on into 2012!

Cheers to a new year~

Snuggly Scarf ...

Embrace the tartan trend and get inspired by designers such as Vivienne Westwood, Chanel, YSL and Daks!! If you don't fancy going full on tartan then add a splash of colour with a colourful scarf!!!

Today I am wearing my Urban Outfitters Tartan Scarf with my Barbour ........

Vivienne Westwood has always supported tartan ....

L xxx

Navajo Calls Out Urban Outfitters For Its Products

Click the link below to read some more news about the Navajo / Urban Outfitters situation - I'm quoted!:

Navajo calls out Urban Outfitters for its products

If you happen to find yourself bored, just go and google the words Navajo Urban Outfitters - there have been many recent news posts about it!

I'm happy to see Native people standing up against big coorporations who seek to continue the legacy of misappropriation, misuse of Native designs, and misrepresentation of 'the Native' in mass media. Enough is enough. And for those of you who think that this stuff is NOT important, you should read up on how stereotypes, and racist language and misrepresentation in mass media HARMS Native rights.

The articles all basically say the same thing, but here's the list!

These articles reprint the above article:

Fox News (Fox News! I know right?! And OF COURSE they had to put the word 'disrespectful' in air quotes.): Navajo Nation Fights Urban Outfitters Over 'Disrespectful' Clothing Line

The Christian Science Monitor (The Christian Science Monitor! I know right!?): Urban Outfitters Navajo line draws criticism from Navajo Nation

ABC News (ABC!): Navajo Calls out Urban Outfitters for Its Products

The Seattle Times: Tribe blasts Urban Outfitters on 'Navajo' items

These articles take some other spins:

Jezebel (Jezebel always breaks it down. I wish I was half as badass as they are.): Urban Outfitter’s ‘Navajo’ Problem Becomes A Legal Issue

Jezebel: Urban Outfitters And The Navajo Nation: What Does The Law Say? (Oh man, this article.. this article looks at 'the law'. The legit legal aspects of this 'case.' And, I gotta say, if 'the law' sides with Urban Outfitters, I will throw a holy fit. Yes, a holy one.)

Jezebel: The Most WTF Navajo-Inspired Clothing And Accessories (ha.)

Time (Time! as in, Time Magazine! The magazine that my mom subscribes to.): Urban Outfitters Taken to Task for Faux 'Navajo' Products

Star Tribune: Urban Outfitters' hipster panty is a Navajo no-no (Excellent, excellent title.)

Fronteras Desk: Navajo Nation: Urban Outfitters Must Change Clothing Line (Great audio too, and they quote my good friend Kerry Thompson! A Navajo smarty-pants and someone I've always looked up to.)

Dallas Blog: Navajo Indians Call for Underwear Boycott (Now this title is a little wonky...)

Racked: Could Urban Outfitters' Navajo Hipster Panty Actually Be Illegal? (Yes, could a panty be illegal?!)

And perhaps the most important article: Indian Country Today: What’s Next for the Urban Outfitters Navajo Case? (Adrienne Keene)

UPDATE:

Indian Country Today: So-Called Navajo Products Vanish from Urban Outfitters Website

Phoenix New Times: Urban Outfitters Pulls Navajo Name from Collection; Heard Museum Weighs in on Native-Inspired Fashion That Should Be Produced

ANOTHER UPDATE:

Companies Switch from 'Navajo' to 'Southwestern'
Fashionista: Barneys’ Amanda Brooks Writes Tone Deaf ‘Navajo Nation’ Post: Can the Fashion Industry Stop Describing Trends as ‘Navajo’? (Yes, We’re Guilty Too)

Urban Outfitters' products have been the subject of multiple controversies, particularly concerning religious and ethnic issues. mmhmmm. Click here to read a list of Urban Outfitters' "Product Controversies."

Urban Outfitters, You Ain't Navajo

Oh man, what do you get when you combine Urban Outfitters with the critical minds of Jezebel, Racialicious, Native Appropriations, and Indian lawyers?! - this little ditty below.

Urban Outfitters- Don't claim Navajo, unless it's Navajo, and you ain't Navajo. So knock if off.

Urban Outfitter’s ‘Navajo’ Problem Becomes A Legal Issue
Sasha Houston Brown of Minneapolis published a strongly worded open letter to Urban Outfitters yesterday at Racialicious. Brown, who directly addresses C.E.O. Glen Senk, takes the clothing chain to task for its appropriation of Native American arts and crafts, and its frequent use of the word "Navajo" in product names and descriptions...
Click here to read the whole article.

Native Appropriations Takes Down Urban Outfitters

(Urban Outfitters' "Navajo Socks" ain't Navajo, just fyi)

Aw snap! Adrienne Keene over at Native Appropriations is on an Urban Outfitters Take-Down mission! (and I LOVE IT.)

Keene has called out Urban Outfitters many times in the past two years for their shameless attempts at appropriating (and misrepresenting - oh, and profitting off of) Native cultures.

Her latest post looks at UO's use of the word 'Navajo.' She says it best: "Urban Outfitters is Obsessed with Navajos." Unfortunately, they're not the first to be obsessed with Indians. But that's a different story.

Keene says: "A search for "Cherokee" on the Urban Outfitters website reveals 1 result. A search for "Tribal": 15. A search for "Native": 10. "Indian": 2. But Navajo? 24 products have Navajo in the name alone."

She goes through the women's section, chucking all of the Native-inspired items into her online cart, and ends up with a whopping 58-item cart! Good lawrd, 58! (I'm semi-curious what the grand total of this cart was, considering that we ALL KNOW that economics factor into this whole deal in a crazy effed-up way).

Keene then focuses on a particular (bad) trend - the over-use (and mis-use, tsk tsk) of the word Navajo.

Then, she tells us that the Navajo Nation has actually trademarked 12 derivatives of the word "Navajo". That's right kids. This word is trademarked. And the Navajo Nation Attorney General sent a cease and desist letter to Urban Outfitters. Daaaaang. Cut.it.out!

Here's part of the letter:
"Your corporation’s use of Navajo will cause confusion in the market and society concerning the source or origin of your corporation’s products. Consumers will incorrectly believe that the Nation has licensed, approved, or authorized your corporation’s use of the Navajo name and trademarks for its products - when the Nation has not - or that your corporation’s use of Navajo is an extension of the Nation’s family of trademarks - which it is not. This is bound to cause confusion, mistake, or deception with respect to the source or origin of your goods. This undermines the character and uniqueness of the Nation’s long-standing distinctive Navajo name and trademarks, which—because of its false connection with the Nation—dilutes and tarnishes the name and trademarks. Accordingly, please immediately cease and desist using the Navajo name and trademark with your products.

As a Nation with a distinguished legacy and unmistakable contemporary presence, the Nation is committed to retaining this distinction and preventing inaccuracy and confusion in society and the market The Nation must maintain distinctiveness and clarity of valid association with its government, its institutions, its entities, its people, and their products in commerce. When an entity attempts to falsely associate its products with the Nation and its products, the Nation does not regard this as benign or trivial. TheNation remains firmly committed to the cancellation of all marks that attempt to falsely associate with the institution, its entities, its people or its products. Accordingly, immediately cease and desist using Navajo with your products."

Read the whole wonderful Native Appropriations post by clicking here. And remember, truly awesome Navajo fashion designers exist, just go on and click here to see some super cool stuff that isn't wack.

Drugs Rock & Sex Roll

These are a few of my favourite things ... Drugs Rock & Sex Roll

Today I am wearing a Slogan Tee by Truly Madly Deeply at Urban Outfitters ......

Katie Waissel stepped out in last year’s version Tee 'Alcohol, Caffeine, Nicotine' printed T-shirt ....

Picture Courtesy of Dailymail.co.uk

L XX

Transitional Floral

I picked up this dress from Urban Outfitters last week and I just LOVE it!!! It is one of those key pieces that you can can dress up or down and wear in the summer or team with tights in the winter!! The contrasting sheer panels add a rock n roll edge and the dipped hem gives it that designer edge!!

Today I am wearing my new find from Urban Outfitters ......

Sienna Miller is a big fan of the Dipped Hem Floral Dress .....

Picture Courtesy of fabsugar.com

L xxx 

Bank Holiday Style.....

So I have been enjoying the bank holiday break with a mixture of lie-ins, sunshine and clothes of course!

Here is what I have been wearing -

Saturday - I opted for a floral maxi dress by French Connection which I teamed with an Urban Outfitters brown belt and Gold Flip Flops from Primark .....

Delicate flowers inspire this feminie trend seen all over the SS11 Catwalks .......

Picture Courtesy of harpersbazaar.co.uk

Sunday - I went for a contrasting trend and dipped back into Safari Chic .... only this time experimenting with animal print.

I teamed this H & M Playsuit with a Peace Necklace from WhatsAboutTown and my old faithful Ray Bans and Havaianas ....

From Leopard print to Tiger stripes, Big Cat prints were all over the Catwalks ....

Picture Courtesy of harpersbazaar.co.uk

P.S. Dont you just love 3 day weeks!!!!!!

L xxx