Loading...
Simply Chic Simply Chic Blog Home

Victoria’s Secret apologizes about American Indian outfit

The lingerie giant is apologizing after an outfit that debuted in their annual fashion show last week caused controversy.

By Kim Anne Nov 12, 2012 7:11PM

Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
According to the Telegraph, numerous complaints arose across the globe after the lingerie company debuted an American Indian headdress look by model Karlie Kloss during their fashion show in New York last week.

The company will remove the look from their December 4th broadcast and they posted this message on their Facebook page: "We are sorry that the American Indian 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." The apology has already received over 10,000 Likes and Karlie Kloss also apologized on her personal Twitter page.

Native Appropriations posted this on their blog: "The frustrating thing is this comes on the heels of the No Doubt "Looking Hot" controversy, where the band pulled their music video within a day of it being released because of the use of extremely stereotypical and offensive Native imagery and a huge outcry from the Native (and ally) community. That happened like last weekend. As in less than 7 days ago. And NOBODY at Victoria's Secret saw one of the hundreds of articles about No Doubt and thought, hm, maybe we shouldn't include a woman in a headdress and a fake buckskin bikini? And the bikini. Can we talk about the bikini? I love the inclusion of the leopard. Why don't we just go full-on generic "savage" while we're at it. As one of my witty FB followers reminded us, "They say Native Americans used every part of the leopard." Ha. But serious eyeroll on that choice. Not to mention the fake turquoise/Navajo/southwest jewelry with a plains headdress. LOL, all indigenous pplz, they r teh samez. Snark aside, there is a bigger issue here. Besides the daily harm of these ongoing microaggressions for Native folks, the sexualization of Native women continues to be an ignored and continuing epidemic."

Bing: See more Victoria's Secret controversies

More on Simply Chic:
Would you wear jean sandal boots?
Plus-size models may boost body image 
The 5 craziest looks from the Victoria's Secret fashion show

 Tell us: Were you offended by this Victoria’s Secret costume?

Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

976Comments
Nov 12, 2012 10:59PM
avatar
you stupid fux! I am a native am. and this is a beautiful tribute! 
Nov 12, 2012 11:00PM
avatar
im indian and this does not offend me, people have just got to whiney, i wish my wife would wear something like this.
Nov 12, 2012 10:55PM
Nov 12, 2012 10:56PM
avatar
lol really no one ever complained when Cher wore that same or damn close to same outfit. so are people getting more stupid? sure sounds it


Nov 12, 2012 11:00PM
avatar
Seriously?  SERIOUSLY?  She resembled some Native American looks.  So what?  She looked sexy.  If anything, they should be happy that the look got recognized by such a large company and portrayed in an attractive fashion.  They weren't poking fun at it or anything.  They were showing it in a artful, beautiful way.  The model is gorgeous and wears it so well!  I don't get what all the fuss is about, but honestly, all this PC garbage is starting to irritate me.  Do I get upset when the media portrays the Irish like drunk, violent fools?  Or put a Leprechaun and a shamrock on something and call it Irish?  Do I get upset at the abomination Americans call St. Patrick's day?  No.  I let it be. This is ridiculous and petty.  Besides, Native Americans aren't "native" at all.  They came here from Asia thousands of years ago.
I think some people misconstrued what I was trying to say.  My point was the PC crap and having cultures off limits is just....  sad.  Why can't we poke fun at ourselves?  And for those of you who say my argument is invalid and I don't have my facts straight are far from accurate.  FOR EXAMPLE (like I said previously), St. Patrick's day is sacred to Irish-Catholics, and Americans commercialize and rape the holiday into a submissive abomination.  And yes, the shamrock IS a sacred symbol to Irish-Catholics.  Know your facts for Christ's sake. The outfit may be sacred to certain tribes of Native Americans.  They see the portrayal as offensive.  They make a stink about it.  We don't.  People need to CHILL THE HELL OUT AND BE ABLE TO LAUGH AT THEMSELVES SOMETIMES.  That was my point....  However having some White-Aryan bitch prance around in the outfit was a bad move.  If she was Native, she would've looked amazing (I find Native American women drop dead gorgeous). And yes, there is evidence that shows Tribes came from Asia just after the thaw of the last ice age....  Then again, no one is truly native, are they? 
Nov 12, 2012 10:55PM
avatar
Total BS!  They should apologize to God for the tacky Angel Costumes!
Nov 12, 2012 10:53PM
avatar
Apology?   This is the one thing they got right!!!!!
Nov 12, 2012 10:55PM
avatar

"They're a culture, not a costume."

 

People know what that quote was in reference too right?

Report
Please help us to maintain a healthy and vibrant community by reporting any illegal or inappropriate behavior. If you believe a message violates theCode of Conductplease use this form to notify the moderators. They will investigate your report and take appropriate action. If necessary, they report all illegal activity to the proper authorities.
Categories
100 character limit
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?

fashion: trends & must-haves for your wardrobe

  • Summer nail color in orange

    The 8 hottest pedicure shades for summer 2013

    That’s right. We said it. These nail polish colors aren’t just sexy—they’re the hottest things you can put on your feet this summer. Now the hard part: choosing one.

  • Exfoliate

    Ready, set, summer: 11 updates for your beauty routine

    Days are getting longer, skirts are getting shorter, and our feet haven’t seen the light of day since the autumnal equinox. A seasonal beauty overhaul is in order.

  • Hair products for curly hair

    Allure editors’ summer hair-product regimens

    There’s no hair hotline for all your summer freakouts—but for every strand, type, and texture, there is an Allure editor who’s tested tons of products (in millions of combinations) to fix any problem. Here, our roundup of tried-and-true hot-weather hair regimens.

  • Zoë Saldana

    10 easy summer-hair ideas

    When heat and humidity strike, the last thing you want to do is spend an eternity styling your hair, only for it to end in the F word: frizz. But that doesn’t mean you need to settle for a ho-hum hair day. These ten hairstyles are quick, simple, and not the least bit boring.

  • Beyonce Boutique \\ Rent the Runway \\ Photo: Courtesy

    Beyoncé wants you to wear a fancy dress to her shows

    She's chosen designer gowns that you can rent from the new Beyoncé Boutique.

  • Cate Blanchett

    Hairstyle of the day

    Long, layered, medium or wavy – we’re sharing our favorite hairstyles of 2013 with a new ‘do each day. Stuck in a hair rut? Check back daily for snappy new looks that are sure to give your locks some beauty inspiration.

  • Halle Berry

    The month in hairstyles

    Big event? Focus on the outfit, because we’ve got your hair all figured out, whether you’ve got two minutes to do it or 20.

  • Floral-appliqué triangle bikini

    The best swimsuit for your body type—yes, yours!

    When morning talk shows and local newspapers dole out their seasonal swimsuit shopping advice, I’m usually pretty disappointed by the lack of body types represented. What about the women who don’t resemble fruit? (Or aren’t boy-shaped—the third “one of these things is not like the other” category I’ve never quite understood. Couldn’t they say “banana?” Or is that somehow more offensive than “apple” and “pear” shapes?)

  • Summer Street Style

    35 hair and makeup ideas to try in the warm weather

    Ready to refresh your hair and makeup for spring? Well, look no further for your latest batch of inspiration. These ladies are bringing the beauty brilliance with megawatt lipstick shades, sleek haircuts, and must-try hair colors. Get ready to play copycat.

  • June Ambrose

    Shoe envy

    Step into spring with style in June Ambrose's new shoe line for HSN.

  • Blazer

    Office remix

    Revamp your corporate look with graphic prints and bold color.

  • Sephora I.T. Angled Synthetic Blush Brush

    5 makeup brushes every woman should own

    If you have only five makeup tools in your kit, make sure these are them. They do much more than just look cute on your vanity!

follow us
follow us follow us on facebook follow us on pinterest follow us on twitter
buzzing now on msn living
Loading...
about our blog contributors
Loading...
style videos
editor's picks
Loading...