{"id":950,"date":"2025-05-23T15:19:47","date_gmt":"2025-05-23T14:19:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/illuminatedmag.co.uk\/?p=950"},"modified":"2025-06-06T14:19:27","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T13:19:27","slug":"my-culture-is-not-your-costume-understanding-cultural-appropriation-on-tiktok","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jusmedia.co.uk\/illuminatedmag\/2025\/05\/23\/my-culture-is-not-your-costume-understanding-cultural-appropriation-on-tiktok\/","title":{"rendered":"My culture is not your costume: Understanding cultural appropriation on TikTok"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Image by Anastasia Shuraeva<\/em> from Wikimedia Commons<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
From \u2018Ibiza tops\u2019 to \u2018Scandinavian scarves\u2019, the rise of \u2018TikTok fashion trends\u2019 has caused a stir online around cultural appropriation , but why exactly are people upset?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the social media platform lets us share clothing inspired by different cultures from all over the world, South Asian communities, especially Desi creators, feel as though their culture is being treated like a trend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aneesha Maha, a south Asian TikTok creator, shared her frustrations: \u201cSeeing my culture be appropriated on such a big online platform is really hurtful to see.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, what exactly is cultural appropriation?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think of it like this: Cultural appropriation is when someone raids another culture\u2019s wardrobe, grabs a piece they think looks cool, and wears it for the aesthetic, without understanding or respecting the meaning behind it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently this can be seen on TikTok, where creators are styling parts of south Asian culture, without giving credit where its due.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The viral beaded \u2018Ibiza tops\u2019 take inspiration from cholis which are traditional South Asian blouses worn with sarees or lehengas. TikTok influencers and fashion brands alike have rebranded them with exotic-sounding names and styled them as trendy festival looks, all while ignoring their cultural roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Likewise, the viral \u2018Scandinavian scarf\u2019 is a style that South Asian women have worn for generations. Its now being presented as a chic, European fashion trend, but when South Asian women have worn it for cultural or religious reasons, they have been met with judgement and even discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 @rottengirl505<\/a> 
This video isn\u2019t meant to bash anyone this is purely educational. Take what you can from this #dupatta<\/a> #scandinavianscarf<\/a> #desi<\/a> #southasianwomen<\/a> #southasianfashion<\/a> #fyy<\/a> #fyp\u30b7<\/a> #greenscreen<\/a> <\/p> \u266c original sound – rottengirl505<\/a> <\/section> <\/blockquote>