French fashion house Chanel has sparked outrage and controversy over their new line of accessories, particularly a wood and black resin Boomerang. Did they really think they weren’t going to cop backlash for this?
Chanel’s choice to not only produce a boomerang but to charge almost $2000 for it is a hideous example of the kind of casual cultural appropriation which litters the fashion industry.
The outcry against the brand and their product began when Jeffery Star posted an Instagram pic of his own Chanel boomerang.
Having so much fun with my new @Chanel boomerang ?? pic.twitter.com/8w6jGPIuYU
— Jeffree Star (@JeffreeStar) May 15, 2017
The comments quickly turned political with many comments coming from Aboriginal Australians who deemed the product ‘a cultural insult’.
Have decided to save for the next three years so I can connect with my culture via @CHANEL https://t.co/ocZSljGkPW
— Nayuka Gorrie (@NayukaGorrie) May 15, 2017
Honestly? I feel like corporations go OUT OF THEIR WAY TO APPROPRIATE SHIT WHO NEEDS A CHANEL BOOMERANG who also isn’t aboriginal ???? https://t.co/74Kir6DcDA
— dont hurt yourself (@RutendoDafana) May 16, 2017
The overwhelmingly negative social media reaction to the obvious appropriation of Indigenous Australian culture prompted Chanel to release a statement explaining that the brand “is extremely committed to respecting all cultures and regrets that some may have felt offended”.
However, Chanel has not yet released an actual apology, and the boomerang is still available for purchase on their website….
…psst. Chanel, if you really regret that you’ve offended people, the first step is to rescind the item and apologise! (especially if there are laws about trivialising the cultural item in question).