Kim Kardashian is dealing with not one, but two, controversies on Twitter right now, and honestly, it seems exhausting. Not only are some fans calling out her new Body Foundation for promoting unrealistic beauty standards (more on that over here), but people are not down with name of her new shapewear line: Kimono.
Finally I can share with you guys this project that I have been developing for the last year. I’ve been passionate about this for 15 years. Kimono is my take on shapewear and solutions for women that actually work. I would always cut up my shapewear to make my own styles, and there have also been so many times I couldn’t find a shapeware color that blended with my skin tone so we needed a solution for all of this. The third pic is the solution short. I developed this style for all of those times I wanted to wear a dress or skirt with a slit and still needed the support. Introducing Kimono Solutionwear™ for every body. Coming Soon in sizes XXS – 4XL in 9 shades. I can’t wait for you to feel this fabric!#KimonoBody @kimono Photos by Vanessa Beecroft
A post shared by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on
Kimonos are traditional Japanese garments that have zero to do with SPANX-esque shapewear. And it’s one thing for Kim to use the name. It’s another for her to try and trademark it, which is exactly what she did according to the Los Angeles Times (Kimono, Kimono Body, Kimono Intimates, and Kimono World are among the trademarks filed and waiting for review).
Critics are taking to social media to call Kim out for appropriation, with comments ranging from “My culture is not your plaything,” to “My culture is not your brand name generator.” People are also sharing pictures of themselves in *actual* kimonos as a reminder about where the name originates from.
This is #kimono I wore to my wedding. I’d like Kim to imagine how she’d feel if someone treated her wedding, prom or baptism dresses as lingerie.
“Kimono” are not just clothes but are a symbol that evokes precious memories and important life events. #KimOhNo pic.twitter.com/gD2KrTzsLR
Wow, @KimKardashian.
Thanks for BUTCHERING Japanese culture!!! My culture is not your plaything.
You don’t have any respect for people who are not your family, do you?
In the 15 yrs developing this project, couldn’t you find a cultural advisor?#KimOhNo #culturalappropriation https://t.co/OsDYVZxPhx
Me wearing A #KIMONO with hakama for my graduation👘🎓🌸
Very sad to hear @kimkardashian has trademarked “Kimono” for her new underwear line😭 #KimOhNo pic.twitter.com/ET5iVojTYa
My culture is not your brand name generator 🇯🇵👘🍱🍵 #KimOhNo
Kim hasn’t responded to the criticism, but it seems unlikely that she didn’t know there’d be backlash going into this. In fact, TMZ reported last year that Kim had filed documents to trademark “Kimono Intimates,” and there was plenty of negative response at the time.
So in addition to releasing a lingerie line right AFTER Rihanna releases hers, she’s calling it “Kimono” intimates as if her family doesn’t have enough history with cultural appropriation. Bye. https://t.co/5VMXHlnamV
Seems like it would have been pretty hard for her to ignore it, right?
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