Madel Karlie Kloss sporting a Native war bonnet at the Victoria’s Secret fashion show
If there’s one thing Victoria should keep a secret, it’s blatant racism. However, on Wednesday night the company sent model Karlie Kloss down the runway in fringed lingerie, fringed heels, and a huge Native American-style feathered headdress for their annual fashion show.
Apparently, the people over at Victoria’s Secret hadn’t caught wind of the recent No Doubt scandal after the release and then retraction of their ‘cowboys and Indians’ music video for their new song, “Looking Hot.” The video was up for a single day on YouTube before the band took it down and released an apology.
In previous years, musicians Cher and The Village People have worn headdresses as a part of their stage outfits, but in the 21st century and thanks to open comments, it has come to be known that some Natives and non-Natives are offended by the exploitation of headdresses.
While beautiful in its aesthetic, a feathered headdress is in fact, a sacred accessory that is only worn by certain members of Native American tribes. When worn by non-members, it evokes the dark history of genocide and colonialism that continues to plague Native people, explains Cherokee Native Adrienne K. on her blog Native Appropriations.
After viewing photographs from the Victoria’s Secret show, Adrienne wrote a blog post that ‘thanked’ the company for, “blatantly and ignorantly perpetuating the over-sexualization of American Indian women,” and included statistics to show the heightened amount of rape that happens to Native women.
On Saturday, Victoria’s Secret spokesperson Tammy Robert Meyers sent an apology letter directly to Adrienne. It read: “We are sorry that the Native American 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.”
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Mollie Paige writes for the Toronto Standard. You can follow her on twitter @MolliePB
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