When Kim Kardashian West announced her new inclusive shapewear (or ‘soutionwear’) brand, Kimono, last week, she immediately came under fire with many saying her use of the word ‘Kimono’ is cultural appropriation and disrespectful to Japan. Hundreds of Japanese women and men took to social media using the hashtag ‘KimOhNo‘ (which started trending on Twitter) to share photos of themselves wearing the traditional garment, which is an integral part of Japanese culture and the country’s identity.
Kimonos are long-sleeved robes that are traditionally tied with a sash. They date back to 15th Century Japan and are generally reserved for special occasions. As they are passed down from generation to generation, they have huge significance in Japanese families. So much so that on June 28th, the mayor of Kyoto, Daisaku Kadokawa, wrote an open letter to Kim, urging her to reconsider the choice of her brand trademark.
Just this morning, Kim announced on Twitter that though she launched Kimono with the ‘best intentions in mind,’ she will be changing the name of her forthcoming shapewear collection, which is due to release its first drop later this month.
“Being an entrepreneur and my own boss has been one of the most rewarding challenges I’ve been blessed with in my life. What’s made it possible for me after all of these years has been the direct line of communication with my fans and the public,” she wrote.
“I am always listening, learning and growing — I so appreciate the passion and varied perspectives that people bring to me. When I announced the name of my shapewear line, I did so with the best intentions in mind.”
“My brands and products are built with inclusivity and diversity at their core and after careful thought and consideration, I will be launching my Solutionwear brand under a new name. I will be in touch soon. Thank you for your understanding and support always.”
Last year, Kardashian trademarked the Kimono brand in the US and the mother-of-four also reportedly filed trademarks for ‘Kimono Body’, ‘Kimono Intimates’ and ‘Kimono World” according to the BBC.
The new shapewear is is designed to smooth out lines under clothing and is available in nine different shades, spanning sizes from XXS to 4XL. “I’ve been passionate about this for 15 years,” Kardashian wrote on Instagram on the day of launch. “Kimono is my take on shapewear and solutions for women that actually work.”
“I would always cut up my shapewear to make my own styles, and there have also been so many times I couldn’t find a shapeware colour that blended with my skin tone so we needed a solution for all of this.”
The website for the range reads, “Kimono is the culmination of Kim’s personal experience with shapewear and is fueled by her passion to create truly considered and highly technical solutions for every body. Whether the desire is to enhance, smooth, lift or sculpt, Kimono provides superior options for all shapes and tones.”
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This article originally appeared on InStyle Australia
