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Showing posts from June, 2023

The Horse-Face Skirt: A Cultural Appropriation Controversy

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In May 2022, Christian Dior released a new collection of Fall 2022 clothing. Among the items in the collection was a pleated wool and mohair skirt that was priced at $3,800. The skirt quickly drew attention on Chinese social media, where users pointed out that it bore a striking resemblance to a traditional Chinese garment known as the mamianqun, or "horse-face skirt." The mamianqun is a type of Hanfu, which is a traditional Chinese dress that has been worn for centuries. The skirt is characterized by its pleated design and its four panels, which are said to resemble a horse's face. The mamianqun was popular during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and it has been revived in recent years by Chinese fashion designers and enthusiasts. When Chinese social media users saw the Dior skirt, they were quick to accuse the fashion house of cultural appropriation. They argued that Dior had simply copied the design of the mamianqun and then rebranded it as a "Dior silhouette."