We Need to talk about... That Topshop Playsuit
Topshop has been in the news lately, and not for good reason. The British retailer has been accused of cultural appropriation with their latest Festival collection, specifically the “Scarf Playsuit.”
Copying the print and pattern of the Palestinian keffiyeh, the description reads: “Get festival-ready with this cute playsuit in monochrome scarf print with knot tie neck detail. Team with sliders for perfect summer-cool.”
Um. WHUT?
Well, did they say where the pattern originates from? Nu-uh.
What about the meaning behind the pattern? Nope.
How about Yasser Arafat? They must have mentioned him! Nah son. They didn’t do their homework.
The Palestinian keffiyeh may not be a religious symbol, it should still be kept in reverence. A cultural and historical symbol of nationalism and resistance, describing the pattern as a “monochromatic” playsuit demeans its identity alone. Although the Palestinian keffiyeh did turn into a fashion statement throughout the years, it has retained its headscarf form, which in turn, retained its history (in a way). By transforming it into a "beach suit" as one Twitter user stated for a superficial festival look, rather than the true form of resistance that it really was, is just plain disrespectful.
And boy, did Twitter have some words.
Is Topshop in the wrong? Or is Twitter being sensitive?
Let's discuss.
(image via the sun uk)
