On Jun. 25, Kim Kardashian did what any busy person like her would do and launch yet another brand, potentially another cash cow on top of her beauty line, kids clothing brand, merch store, fragrances, television show, and social media advertisements.
Called Kimono, the newest venture was all about milking her reputation of having an impossibly perfect hour-glass shape. If you wanted to look good in skin-tight clothes, here was your chance.
Kardashian wanted to trademark her new brand’s name. She recently filed 16 ones for her child Psalm West.
It didn’t go as planned for the obvious reason that the brand used the name of a traditional Japanese garment that’s been around for hundreds of years.
What ensued was a week’s worth of drama. Kardashian faced backlash online. The accusations of cultural appropriation turned Kimono into #KimOhNo. Major news publications released stories quickly.
Kardashian was once again under fire and to think that the latest season of Keeping Up with the Kardashians hasn’t even moved past the drama from early this year.
To think that Jameela Jamil was just calling her out for making women more insecure about their bodies with the launch of her KKW Beauty Skin Perfecting Body Foundation.
Estee Laundry, the beauty community’s watchdog, presented a post on cultural appropriation for quick reference.
On Jun. 28, Daisaku Kadokawa, the mayor of Kyoto, Japan wrote an open letter to Kardashian. He asked that she “…re-consider your decision of using the name Kimono in your trademark.”
He also invited her to visit Kyoto sometime to fully understand the cultural importance of the kimono. The letter was posted on the city’s official website and quickly spread via social media.
Thousands of #KimOhNo posts and a lot of Internet debates later, Kardashian posted an apology on July 1. She decided that she will be relaunching her shapewear line with a new name.
However, as of press time, Kimono’s Instagram account has yet to be taken down.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is but another normal week in the life of Kim Kardashian.
Photo courtesy of Agence France-Presse
Kim Kardashian filed 16 trademarks for three week old son Psalm West
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