Fashion has and continues to empower colonial and postcolonial structures through orientalism and other forms of oppressive methods. A THREAD:

*This first caught my attention by a story posted on IG that talked about Vogue Arabia and orientalism. I was unable to find the post nor am I positive if who wrote it. Regardless, if found, would like to credit whoever wrote it and thank them for bringing awareness to this issue

Fashion and Orientalism: Orientalism is a postcolonial study, founded by Edward Said, that depicts the East in a misrepresented manner by the West that serves imperialism and colonialism across different mediums such as literature, film, and other media.

These exaggerated false portrayals aim at creating an exotic feature around Eastern and Asian culture and traditions as well as presume Western superiority. It reduces Eastern culture to a Westernized representation of it.

It creates the distinction between the “West” and the “East” – “The Other". This distinction has been a powerful tool in colonialism in Europe across the centuries. It helps in shaping an image of the colonized that they are uncivilized and can be saved through Western democracy.

Vogue Arabia has constantly published editorials and articles that are textbook definitions of Orientalism. Out of 13 people who run the magazine, only 3 are Arab. Below are editorials assembled by all non-Eastern team for the magazine.

In addition, orientalism and the "exotic" cultural wear within it have been appropriated by many prominent designers throughout history. Such as YSL, Poiret, Galliano, and Michele