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It is interesting to track our bizarre relationship with these Other cultures and countries, and notice how the West’s imperial mentality with Eastern cultures has so deeply invaded our very own culture and how it has transformed with modern times, into such a juxtaposed obsession.
On one hand you have the West’s obsession with the East, transfigured into this compulsive need to intrude Eastern countries with extreme and excessive militant visits. However turn around to the more glamorous side of the West, the fashion industry, and see just how much the West truly “idolizes” the East in such a glorifying manner.
For example, It’s sickening that they can’t go a season in the fashion industry, without some designer releasing a completely inappropriate Oriental collection; stock full of beaded flowy tunics, ornate headpieces, oh and don’t forget the baggy pants! No Oriental collection is complete without THE baggy pants!
No Oriental collection can go without the traditional baggy pants. Chanel designed them from translucent materials of black, beige and white color.They continued,
Perhaps are not quite familiar clothing for residents of the metropolis, but for those who are going on vacation are real gems.
And Chanel is no dummy. They make sure to cover all of their bases. Are you feeling angry indifferent about this collection in respect of the “Oriental culture”? No need to feel like you're appropriating a culture’s attire! Because after all,
Unfortunately there is still this Orientalist mindset today, it would be completely foolish to think otherwise. Many classmates have brought up Aladdin for example, and while this is a great example and definitely shows how the Western perceptions get filtered into the minds of the young--can we just talk about for a second that that movie came out 24 years ago! That is over two decades. That is insane!
Now I know that the infiltration of an Orientalist mindset into our mainstream media has not been diminished since then, so have we become more immune or..what? Has Orientalism really been able to slide on by, making frequent stops on runways, movie screens and tv, mouths of political candidates?
Despite the Oriental theme, the designer did not forget about those who are indifferent in respect of this culture. The combination of short tight-leg trousers with a loose tunic has long time ago become universal. It’s comfortable, actual, and most importantly – it is fashionable and elegant.You go, Chanel!
Unfortunately there is still this Orientalist mindset today, it would be completely foolish to think otherwise. Many classmates have brought up Aladdin for example, and while this is a great example and definitely shows how the Western perceptions get filtered into the minds of the young--can we just talk about for a second that that movie came out 24 years ago! That is over two decades. That is insane!
Now I know that the infiltration of an Orientalist mindset into our mainstream media has not been diminished since then, so have we become more immune or..what? Has Orientalism really been able to slide on by, making frequent stops on runways, movie screens and tv, mouths of political candidates?
Very interesting. I like how you bring the binary of the East and the West into the fashion industry. It is strange to look into all of the Oriental allusions and references in our society and see all of this more clearly after reading Said's argument.
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