Teen Vogue calls out Zara for culturally appropriating a Somali baati

[Duchess]

Zara is battling yet another issue of cultural appropriation, as the affordable fashion brand has been accused of stealing the traditional baati style from Somali, calling it a Tie-Dye Maxi Dress, with no mention of cultural inspiration. Zara was called out on Instagram by Muna Juma, the Muslim Miss Universe contestant who made history when she refused to wear a bikini. She criticized the brand not so much for using the style, but for not mentioning anything about their cultural roots.

In the post, Muna writes, “@zara is trying to capitalize on our Somali traditional wear sheed/baati where’s the credit? For £39.99 you can get one for you, your Mama, & your Nana. Put some respect on it @zara.” Commenters have echoed her sentiments, writing, “Oh noo they didn't ” and “Are they kidding themselves .” One even chimed in, saying, “They’re basically running out of ideas .”

The company has yet to take any action in relation to this latest issue. The dress is still for sale on their site, and they have not issued a statement or commented on the look.


Zara is far from a stranger of issues of cultural appropriation. Only last month, they were called outfor a tie-front plaid skirt that looked all too similar to a lungi, a traditional South Asian garment. This is simply the latest in a long line of products that Zara has released without acknowledging the heritage or cultural significance of the styles they sell.

https://www.teenvogue.com/story/zara-cultural-appropriation-somali-baati

 

[Gibiin-Udug]

Now I've to see Becky Sue running around target in my baati. Cadaans are the worse wallahi.

 

[Duchess]

Now I've to see Becky Sue running around target in my baati. Cadaans are the worse wallahi.

Now that Becky will wear a baati outside this summer, will it make it acceptable for Halimo to do the same?

 

[Gibiin-Udug]

Now that Becky will wear a baati outside this summer, will it make it acceptable for Halimo to do the same?

What's next? Beckys will wear guuntino? Do henna? Oooops too late beckys are always in line in Karamel at the henna store. Damn them.

 

[Sophisticate]

If you're going to appropriate, at least do it with style. Ask Halimo Aden to do it. What if someone at Zara is Somali and was the brainchild behind it, would it be appropriation, then?

I saw some Somali appropriation in Black Panther. Those female warriors had Guntino fabric sewn into their garments. And I did not support this film by watching it. A mere Google search is all I needed to see.

 

[landheer]

Zara is battling yet another issue of cultural appropriation, as the affordable fashion brand has been accused of stealing the traditional baati style from Somali, calling it a Tie-Dye Maxi Dress, with no mention of cultural inspiration. Zara was called out on Instagram by Muna Juma, the Muslim Miss Universe contestant who made history when she refused to wear a bikini. She criticized the brand not so much for using the style, but for not mentioning anything about their cultural roots.

In the post, Muna writes, “@zara is trying to capitalize on our Somali traditional wear sheed/baati where’s the credit? For £39.99 you can get one for you, your Mama, & your Nana. Put some respect on it @zara.” Commenters have echoed her sentiments, writing, “Oh noo they didn't ” and “Are they kidding themselves .” One even chimed in, saying, “They’re basically running out of ideas .”

The company has yet to take any action in relation to this latest issue. The dress is still for sale on their site, and they have not issued a statement or commented on the look.


Zara is far from a stranger of issues of cultural appropriation. Only last month, they were called outfor a tie-front plaid skirt that looked all too similar to a lungi, a traditional South Asian garment. This is simply the latest in a long line of products that Zara has released without acknowledging the heritage or cultural significance of the styles they sell.

https://www.teenvogue.com/story/zara-cultural-appropriation-somali-baati

That Madow looks horible in a baati

 

[Ramesses II]

If you're going to appropriate, at least do it with style. Ask Halimo Aden to do it. What if someone at Zara is Somali and was the brainchild behind it, would it be appropriation, then?

I saw some Somali appropriation in Black Panther. Those female warriors had Guntino fabric sewn into their garments. And I did not support this film by watching it. A mere Google search is all I needed to see.

 

[blackbanana]

It's not cultural appropriation when a fellow black or African does it.

She looks cute in the bahti

 

[World]

It's not cultural appropriation when a fellow black or African does it.

She looks cute in the bahti

You cant even pronounce a basic Somali word in the title no wonder you believe that shit you wrote

 

[Toxique]

It's not cultural appropriation when a fellow black or African does it.

She looks cute in the bahti

you wont be sayin that the baati goes the way of fulani braids

https://m.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/kim-kardashian-cornrows-bo-derek_us_5a6f3454e4b06e253269d4e7

 

[Toxique]

View attachment 40076

ohh my god they're robin us blind

 

[blackbanana]

You cant even pronounce a basic Somali word in the title no wonder you believe that shit you wrote

There's different ways of spelling it.

 

[blackbanana]

you wont be sayin that the baati goes the way of fulani braids

https://m.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/kim-kardashian-cornrows-bo-derek_us_5a6f3454e4b06e253269d4e7

You can always educate someone of a particular thing's origin. It's impossible for other blacks or black allies to culturally appropriate from blacks.

 

[Toxique]

You can always educate someone of a particular thing's origin. It's impossible for other blacks or black allies to culturally appropriate from blacks.

is zara a black owned company? i was gonna boycott it like h&m

 

[blackbanana]

is zara a black owned company? i was gonna boycott it like h&m

I believe it's Spanish

 

[Toxique]

I believe it's Spanish

so the black model is a coon being used to rob n disenfranchised other black and brown people

 

[GeKo]

When you wear a suit, or a white wedding dress does that make it cultural appropriation.

We need to stop identity politics, all humans should enjoy cultural clothing and hairstyles of any country regardless of skin color . I still don't see the problem with 'cultural appropriation'.

If you segregate your clothing and hairstyle to your people only, then you'll miss out on the world enjoying it and putting their own twist on it. We can share and exchange clothing, hairstyles, food, and ideas; that's what makes the world beautiful.

 

[Mea]

When you wear a suit, or a white wedding dress does that make it cultural appropriation.

We need to stop identity politics, all humans should enjoy cultural clothing and hairstyles of any country regardless of skin color . I still don't see the problem with 'cultural appropriation'.

If you segregate your clothing and hairstyle to your people only, then you'll miss out on the world enjoying it and putting their own twist on it. We can share and exchange clothing, hairstyles, food, and ideas; that's what makes the world beautiful.

This type of talk in a system of white supremacy only serves white people. They make all the money off of YOUR styles, they don’t get any social blowback for looking like YOU meanwhile you think wearing blue jeans is the same as the shit they’re doing to you.

 

[Aisha21]

stole our traditional bati and sold us out.

 

[Puntlandtheglorious]

Lol Somalis aren’t like blacks sure they can copy us but we are the consumers if they don’t want to respect us we can buy it from Somali businesses.