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?
