The African Gown Rihanna Validated Designed By Dolce & Gabanna

Are they really down for the cause or just another paycheck?

It's not just about fashion, it's about keeping in mind the history, preserving it and not white washing it.

First they mock, then they copy, then it's about getting their guinea pigs to advertise after sponsoring them. And now we are here. Is this cultural appropriation? Ummm, I would rather not join that topic. No, I am not going to argue or debate how they stole our culture's identity along with our history. For the reason being that Africa has many cultures and the Kaftan belongs to nations inside and outside of the continent as well.

Visit the dailymail.co

Yet, this is how celebrities constantly turn Africa into the ongoing debate of a #trend. Prior to Rihanna wearing this "African inspired" dress would you have matched her face to that style? My answer is yes being that she is daring and honestly doesn't care about what others have to say about her style of dress . However my issue is with the designers. Designers constantly utilize inspiration from African cultures yet barely give any credit to the source. It just so happens I did a prior post on the Kaftan and the dress Rihanna struts NYC in is considered a Kaftan. I call it the African Gown, being that it is an attire that is worn to occasions by both men and women in various African cultures.

View fullsize

My recent post on the kaftan. "The Story Of The Kaftan."

View fullsize

This is the African Gown I did an InStyle post on months ago borrowed from dad's closet.

I love the garment don't get me wrong, yet it's irritating to see this type of representation in this way. Rihanna always looks fabulous in her daily dress. I am not a huge fan, but her style is always pleasing to witness. On the runway a European model wore this gown. Why not choose a model of color to properly display this garment. The point I am trying to make is that when a European person is seen wearing something cultural it is automatically "haute couture." When a celebrity starts to sport it, then the piece becomes a topic of discussion,

The Dashiki craze infuriated me. One trend I wanted to completely remove from society.

1. Dashiki is not a new form of dress or style, suddenly became a "trend" (appreciation)

2. Once Chris Brown, RIhanna, and Beyonce started sporting it everyone thought they were connected to Africa

3. You are not helping the continent by wearing a piece of cloth manufactured by the Chinese

4. When a celebrity or influencer wears a culturally inspired piece then it is automatically deemed "okay" or accepted int he United States....? How Sway? How?

View fullsize

View fullsize

You know what is interesting is that many individuals I know personally will promote "dripping all designer everything," yet does that designer really care about you? While we are shouting " Black Lives Matter" and promoting #melanin, #blackout they cackle in the back. All they want at the end of the day is your money and those who love designer keeps giving it to them

It frustrates me to see designers such as Dolce & Gabanna still utilizing European models in a "cultural" themed collection. This goes hand in hand with Zara The company I currently work for and disagrees with on so many levels. Our Kid's section has a collection titled "Africa." Again this is a business tactic to appeal to those not of European descent. I get it the bold prints and beautiful color schemes are very Spring/Summer 16 like. Yet if you're going to do an Editorial, do it correct. One thing Zara lacks is Diversity. When we have an Editorial promoting this African inspired collection with not one child of color in it, it's like Zara you missed the point. Why are you trying to be relatable while being unrelatable?

View fullsize

View fullsize