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Kim Kardashian's 'Kimono' Underwear Slammed for Having Nothing in Common with the Japanese Garment
On Tuesday, Kim Kardashian introduced a new shapewear brand that had a very unique name. The name caused her to receive some backlash as people felt it was cultural appropriation.
Kim Kardashian’s new shapewear is called Kimono Intimates. A number of people slammed her after posting images of the underwear because of the name she chose for the brand.
The Keeping up with the Kardashians star and businesswoman took to social media with three images from the photo shoot of for the garments. She was seen posing with models who all wore the shapewear.
Basically, what you’re doing is creating a line of underwear and calling them, ‘traditional Japanese garments’. Is that what you’re aiming for? 👘
— Yuko Kato (@yukokato1701) June 26, 2019
A number of Japanese people have accused Kardashian, 38, of disrespecting Japanese culture. The kimono is known as a traditional 15th-century clothing item.
"I find the naming of your products baffling."
According to the reality star, her trademarked brand “celebrates and enhances the shape and curves of women.” An editor for BBC News Japan, Yuko Kato replied to Kardashian’s post asking her to reconsider the name.
The kimono is an incredibly and culturally significant garment that is modest and intricate in detail. This shapewear underwear is the opposite of that and makes this wildly demeaning to Japanese customs. The fact she is trying to trademark the word “kimono” alone is disgusting.
— 𝙻𝚊 𝚂𝚌𝚘𝚛𝚌𝚑𝚊 🐊 (@lascorcha) June 27, 2019
Kato wrote:
“Nice underwear, but as a Japanese woman who loves to wear our traditional dress, … kimono, I find the naming of your products baffling (since it has no resemblance to kimono), if not outright culturally offensive, especially if it’s merely a word play on your name. Pls reconsider.”
Professor Sheila Cliffe from the Jumonji Women's University in Niiza, Japan, spoke about the history of the kimono. She revealed that the garment was actually worn for the opposite purpose compared to Kardashian’s brand.
Finally I can share with you guys this project that I have been developing for the last year.
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) June 25, 2019
I’ve been passionate about this for 15 years.
Kimono is my take on shapewear and solutions for women that actually work.
Photos by Vanessa Beecroft pic.twitter.com/YAACrRltX3
Cliffe explained that the kimono was meant to be “graceful, elegant and gentle.” It’s not supposed to be tight or shape the wearer’s body in any way.
The professor further elaborated on why the use of the name for such an item was offensive. She said: “If I made a bra and called it a sari... some people would be very annoyed. It shows extreme disrespect.”
Nice underwear, but as a Japanese woman who loves to wear our traditional dress,👘 kimono, I find the naming of your products baffling (since it has no resemblance to kimono), if not outright culturally offensive, especially if it’s merely a word play on your name. Pls reconsider
— Yuko Kato (@yukokato1701) June 26, 2019
Cliffe stated that the garment was “an expression of Japanese identity” and that the word didn’t “belong to Kim Kardashian.” The word kimono literally translates to “thing to wear on the shoulders.”
The garment is considered as the national dress code in Japan. However, it is now usually worn for special occasions like weddings, and women are the ones who mostly wear them.
Oh my god I don’t have to cut one side of my spanx anymore!!!!!
— chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) June 25, 2019
One person who seems excited by the new brand is Chrissy Teigen. She tweeted: "Oh my god I don't have to cut one side of my spanx anymore!!!!!"
However, a person named Sono Fukunishi started a Change.org petition to fight against Kardashian's use of the word. So far the petition has more than 28,000 signatures out of 35,000.
