Summary of findings - Investigate the issue
I created a survey of 7 questions on the topic of cultural appropriation within the fashion industry. The responses were mixed but the general consensus of the survey was that there is a definite issue of cultural appropriation within the industry and it comes down to ignorance. Everyone who took part in the survey was aware of what cultural appropriation is which highlights an awareness of it in today’s society. When asked for a definition of what cultural appropriation is, there were many different versions of the same idea, but one individual answered ‘Cultural appropriation is when someone adopts aspects of a culture that is not their own. This can be controversial when members of a dominant culture appropriate the culture of a disadvantaged minority’ which sums it up perfectly. An important question to be answered was ‘What do you think the difference between appreciation and appropriation is?’ The overall result of this question was that appreciation is recognising the cultural significance of what you are trying to portray and acknowledging that, along with giving credit to the culture and promoting a positive image in reference to the culture rather than appropriation which is just claiming it as your own and disregarding any cultural significance. Many different examples were given when asked for an example of cultural appropriation in the fashion industry, proving that something needs to be done about this issue. Examples included Valentino’s 2016 collection when models took to the runway with cornrows, Gucci turbans in 2018 and Kim Kardashian’s Kimono trademark attempt- which was appropriating Japanese culture. When asked to choose between if cultural appropriation came down to ignorance or misunderstanding, 100% of participants voted for ignorance. There can be a bit of a blurred line on whether people genuinely make mistakes and don’t understand their wrongdoing when culturally appropriation or whether people just choose to ignore the idea that they could offend a lot of people and continue to do it anyway. The main aspect of this survey was to understand more in depth of what people’s opinions are on the fine line between cultural appropriation and appreciation. As another research source, I found an article in which people of colour and those from minorities describe their opinion on the matter. This article adds an element of deeper understanding as it delves into the opinions of people in society who have experienced their cultural appropriation first-hand. This makes the information used much more personal than that of my survey, as 100% of participants who filled out my form said that they had never experienced their own culture being appropriated. The article by insider.com touches on subjects such as the Black Lives matter movement and the issue of summer 2020 when Adele was pictured on her Instagram posting a tribute to the Notting Hill Carnival wearing Bantu knots and a Jamaican flag. Many of her Jamaican fans took to her comments advising Adele to take no notice of accusations that she was culturally appropriating, as they understand that she was giving them recognition and showing love for their culture. In the article, one man, Stevie Thomas who was interviewed, made the point that the difference between appreciation and appropriation comes down to your morals and where your heart lies. It can be quite easy to tell who appreciates certain cultures and who doesn’t by their passion for it. You can appreciate a lifestyle and have a love for the people that live that way but cultural appropriation begins when you see this culture and its background and copy it for personal gain. Keeping ourselves educated on cultures and their origins ensures that everyone understand the boundaries which should not be pushed.

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