u/Shot_Blueberry2728

As a fashion enthusiast with an interest in fashion history and design, I have to say this 💙

Some people are claiming Hailey’s blue gown with the gold breastplate is “stealing Asian fashion” simply because of the draped scarf… come on 🫠!!

This is custom YSL directly referencing their Fall 1969 haute couture collection (gold sculpture by French artist Claude Lalanne). Yves Saint Laurent was born and raised in Oran, Algeria. He called Marrakech his second home and drew heavily from North African aesthetics such as caftans, burnous, draped garments, colors, and draping techniques from the Maghreb his entire career.

Long flowing draped scarves and capes are NOT exclusive to South Asia. North Africa has the haik and burnous, the Middle East has the keffiyeh and Europe has mantillas along with centuries of classical and silk scarf traditions.

As a South Asian myself, a sheer blue drape over the shoulder is not some sacred Indian garment being mocked. It’s high fashion blending silhouettes and references.

I get the broader frustration with Western fashion historically stealing from Asian and African cultures, but slapping “cultural appropriation” on this specific piece by a designer with deep authentic ties to North Africa is a stretch 🙄 Fashion evolves through exchange, and this one has clear provenance.

The mental gymnastics to call Algerian-born YSL “South Asian appropriation” is wild to me!!