5/8 Maira/Said

According to the articles, Indo-chic provides conflicting ideas of its role in an emerging consumerist and globalized world. In some cases, Indo-chic demonstrates western culture accepting southeast Asian culture by using it in mass media and selling it in the market. It also unites women from different backgrounds—showing diversity. However, western culture adopts South Asian culture and diminishes its symbols. As a result, western powers have the ability to manipulate and sell it in any way they choose to. This is problematic as the people becomes “othered” and the people of the culture can become misrepresented or devalued to just “exotic” peoples. In terms of Said, this allows Western domination to determine whether to accept people from other cultures or debunk their culture as irrelevant or threatening.

These contradicting ideas can be seen in everyday life as some youth argue that using the henna outside its cultural context is cultural appropriation, but some say that it is culturally acceptable to use the henna beyond its original cultural context because its definition and application can be polycultural. In relation to my experiences, I always had conflicting feelings about the “kimono” as a westernized fashion trend. It is beautiful piece from Japan, but it has become everyday in America. I am not Japanese, but the idea of wearing this does not appeal to me especially since I do not know its origin or historical background. I can see why it is acceptable to be reproduced in a different setting, but I think it ultimately resorts back to respecting those who have used this as a traditional piece and accepting that this outfit is not for those who can not resonate with the kimono’s story.