Victoria’s Secret has been accused of cultural appropriation over lingerie in its 2016 Fashion Show.
In an article titled ‘Why Can’t Victoria’s Secret Stop Designing Racist Lingerie?’ - which has now been taken down online - Cosmopolitan writer Helin Jung called out the brand for taking inspiration from China and Mexico.
“Even as the world gets more connected, a sexist, patriarchal, mostly white corporation continues to take what it wants for its own gain,” she wrote.
Jung also suggested the brand were trying to target Chinese consumers, following the rise of the country as a major world power.
“What condescension, for Victoria’s Secret to think that by wrapping a model in a dragon, it could connect directly with a new consumer in China,” she said.
Finally, she added that Victoria’s Secret should “stick to thongs that don’t have cultural references.”
This isn’t the first time VS have come under for cultural appropriation, facing a backlash in 2012 after Karlie Kloss modelled a Native American-style headdress on the runway.
The Huffington Post UK has reached out to Victoria’s Secret and Cosmopolitan for comment.
See more photos from the VS Fashion Show 2016 below:
