PrettyLittleThing’s Little Mix collection has come under fire because some of the pieces are described as ‘oriental’.
Shoppers have described the top, skirt, dresses, shoes and bags as ‘cultural appropriation’ and accused the brand of ‘fetishising Asian women’.
The range is loosely based on a traditional qipao that originated in China.
It includes a red crop top and skirt and dresses in pink, green and black and in the promotional material, each of the band members from Little Mix models each of the colours.
The collection also includes bags, wrap sandals and boots in matching fabrics.
Some of the pieces have already sold out but not everyone on social media has been impressed.
Lauren said: ‘I’m sorry but what?? first of all your “oriental” clothing is nothing like that of actual traditional Qi paos, but the fact that you’re actively contributing to the fetishization and cultural appropriation of Chinese culture is just… not ok.’
Leah added: ‘Is no one going to talk about how this is cultural appropriation???? again and again, asian traditional wear is being sexualized and people are supporting it. disgusting.’
Another Little Mix fan added: ‘I love you all so much, but as an Asian in a white country, I kind of wish the word “oriental” wasn’t in your collection.’
Emma Kent said: ‘The @LittleMix and @OfficialPLTcollab includes egregious and tone deaf cultural appropriation of the Chinese qipao. Don’t sex up my culture because you want to “stand out” or make it “trendy”. Not to mention its a clapped waste of textiles, disgusting.’
@LittleMix @OfficialPLT these outfits are incredibly disrespectful to Chinese culture. The design+calling it “Oriential” is reducing Chinese culture down to “EXOTICISM” & enforcing the media’s “EROTISM” view on East Asian Women. This goes against your brand of “empowering” women pic.twitter.com/5HB1g9sLJv
— Stop appropriating my culture (@culture_stop) November 11, 2019
I feel like many people don’t really understand why outfits like these are wrong. First of all, not only is this cultural appropriation but the hyper-sexualization of “asian-inspired” clothing is rooted in the fetishization of Asian women. (1/3)
— tuquynh ? (@tuquynhnn) November 10, 2019
On Instagram, shoppers commented on the brands’ posts about the collection.
Brooklynn said: ‘Because stealing Asian culture is ALWAYS cute.’
Victoria added: ‘can y’all actually leave my cultures traditional wear alone.’
So far, the brand has not responded to the complaints publicly.
We contacted PrettyLittleThing for a response and will update the article when they respond.
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