What defines cultural appropriation? And why does concern about it matter? | Bel Jacobs for BBC

Today is World Day for Cultural Diversity, an international UN-sanctioned holiday to highlight the richness of the world's cultures. And as with any art form, cultural diversity is a key topic in fashion.

This article covers what cultural appropriation is, why it's a critical issue to address, and what genuine cultural collaboration in fashion might look like.

These are nuanced issues that involve deep understanding, but I think Bel Jacobs did a beautiful job with getting at communicating the issues, incorporating several angles, and providing real pathways forward.


MORE ARTICLES I'M READING:

The importance of the US FABRIC Act cannot be overstated | via Vogue Business

Is it time to redefine "sustainable fashion"? (I always have mixed feelings about these conversations on terminology) | via The New York Times - gift link

Despite half of respondents saying they believe fast fashion is harmful to the environment, just 17% have plans to reduce fast fashion spending. One key reason? 42% say fast fashion is a "hard habit to break" | via Fast Company

Help! I have a shopping problem | via The Cut

This is the kind of cultural shift we need: Reality show Love Island drops fast fashion sponsors in favor of Ebay | via Vogue Business

New report outlines what a Global Severance Pay Program for garment workers could look like | via Cornell

Fast fashion's business model of never-ending growth and disposability relies on turning communities in the Global South into dumpsites | via Sourcing Journal (log-in required)

How debt cancellation could help the Global South prepare for climate change | via Grist

🌸 The movement of 'romanticizing' your life 🌸 "may also lead to a larger question: What truly brings us happiness? Is it that expensive vacation or that new piece of clothing? Or should we stop waiting for that picture-perfect moment and start enjoying the present?" | via The New York Times - gift link

As a reseller, Lilian joins Clotheshorse host Amanda to talk about the lessons she's learned as a reseller, her advice for new resellers, and the misconceptions around both secondhand shopping and selling.

I loved this insider's look into the life of a reseller and I always appreciate a bit of secondhand fashion mythbusting!
 

"Dry shampoos have gained a reputation for being one of those holy-grail, time-saving, multipurpose products that not only help you revive your hair on the go.

However, conventional dry shampoos are typically packaged in aerosol spray cans, which have been found to often contain liquefied petroleum gas. These volatile organic compounds are notorious for emitting ground-level ozone that can induce asthma and negatively affect sensitive vegetation and ecosystems, including forests, parks and wildlife."

Thankfully, there are some great low-waste and earth friendly dry shampoos offering healthier alternatives.