I've recently been googling around trying to find cool images of turbans and headscarves. The overwhelming majority of such images are of white, western women wearing what is described as "ethnic" or "tribal" head gear.
The messaging is that the wearer of the items is worldly, sophisticated, interesting, slightly exotic, and (of course) sexy. The wearer is seen as having a wild and free nature.
I've been thinking a lot lately about the cultural appropriation of textiles, especially since I have a business selling scarves that I make from vintage saris (particularly those made by northern Indian Banjara Gypsy people). I'm torn about my complicity in propagating colonialism. Am I appropriating? Am I engaging?
There is something mesmerizing about a woman in a head scarf or turban. There's an evocation of mystery, secret knowledge, worldliness, exoticism.
From a practical standpoint, head scarves and turbans are beautiful, usually with eye-catching prints or colors that jazz up an outfit, hide bad hair, frame the face, protect the top of the head (a vulnerable spot!) from the sun, etc. etc. etc. They're pretty awesome.
They're also ubiquitous. Cloth on the head in some form or another is an ancient practice found all over the globe.
Can this be a sharing of textiles? I think often about cultural appropriation, especially as a merchant of traditional fabrics. But can this be thought of as a cultural exchange instead of cultural appropriation?
I've recently been googling around trying to find cool images of turbans and headscarves. The overwhelming majority of such images are of white, western women wearing what is described as "ethnic" or "tribal" head gear. 
