Victoria’s Secret Sorry For Native American Headdress Worn By Karlie Kloss: Is It Racist?

November 13, 2012 by Hollywoodite

Some people were understandably upset by one of the pieces worn by one of the models during last week’s 2012 Victoria’s Secret fashion show. Ignoring the exposed flesh as though underwear requires a fashion show at all, the piece that garnered the most column inches was the Native American headdress and sub-Halloween Native bikini that appeared to be faux-leather and faux-animal skin.

The look worn by Victoria’s Secret model Karlie Kloss in New York comprised heels, a bikini, and accessories including a war bonnet (that should be reserved for actual wear by Native Americans). The runway look was, apparently, supposed to represent the month of November. Probably for Thanksgiving. But it missed the mark and it upset people enough for negative comments to flood the brand’s Facebook page (well, rage mixed in with comments minimising the racist use of the headdress).

After offending people in the same manner that recently got No Doubt’s music video pulled, Victoria’s Secret issued a “sorry you were offended” non-apology: “We are sorry that the Native American headdress replica used in our recent fashion show has upset individuals. We sincerely apologize as we absolutely had no intention to offend anyone. Out of respect, we will not be including the outfit in any broadcast, marketing materials nor in any other way.” (Incidentally, No Doubt pulled the “We have brown friends so we cannot be racist” card in their non-apology.)

The model, Kloss, said sorry on Twitter: “I am deeply sorry if what I wore during the VS Show offended anyone. I support VS’s decision to remove the outfit from the broadcast.”

After which a little clarity can be added as to why the wearing of the bonnet is othering, reductive, and racist.

“We have gone through the atrocities to survive and ensure our way of life continues,” Navajo Nation spokesman Erny Zah said in an interview Monday. “Any mockery, whether it’s Halloween, Victoria’s Secret – they are spitting on us. They are spitting on our culture, and it’s upsetting.”
…

Jennie Luna, who is Chicana and Caxcan, said society largely is ignorant toward indigenous spirituality and doesn’t understand what should not be marketed commercially. She and others say more education about Native American cultures is needed.

“We are people; we’re not a fashion statement,” Luna said. “We are people who are facing serious issues, and for them to further perpetuate the type of stereotypes and disregard for a community’s way of life is unacceptable.” – via Gawker.

Writer Ruth Hopkins explains why it’s a shallow argument to defend the incident as ignorance or as not being racist. The headdress is meaningful, important, sacred to some people even. It’s not now nor has it ever been a hat, a whimsical accessory, nor analogous to a Halloween costume.

Why is this practice offensive to Natives? Let’s peel away the layers of this tacky, racist onion.

For one, Ms. Kloss has no business wearing a war bonnet at all. Not only is she not Native, she hasn’t earned the honor. Among my people, the Oceti Sakowin (Sioux), war bonnets are exclusively worn by men, and each feather within a war bonnet is symbolic of a brave act of valor accomplished by that man. Not just any Tom, Dick or Harry had the privilege of wearing a war bonnet. Who wears a war bonnet? Tatanka Iyotanka, Sitting Bull. Not a no-account waif paid to prance around on stage in her underwear.

This brings me to my next point: the hypersexualization of Native women. Unfortunately, these days, if you search “war bonnet” or even “Native” on the Internet, you’re likely to come across dozens of pictures of naked, or nearly naked, white women wearing headdresses. Given the epidemic levels of sexual violence Native women and girls are faced with in the United States, why can they not see how incredibly insensitive and inappropriate it is to equate Native womanhood as little more than a sexual fetish?

Also, we’re a people, not a trend. We don’t wear costumes. We dress in regalia, and every single piece means something special. Our beadwork, leatherwork, and quillwork-every piece is a work of Art, unique onto itself and created by skilled, dedicated Native craftsman. War paint is also evocative, with colors and patterns that are meaningful. They tell a story. It’s not finger paint. – via Jezebel.