Kim Kardashian accused of cultural appropriation again after wearing braids

Reality star has previously said she's 'totally respectful' of origin of hairstyle 

Chelsea Ritschel
New York
Tuesday 03 March 2020 20:59 GMT
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Kim Kardashian faces backlash over braid hairstyle (Getty)
Kim Kardashian faces backlash over braid hairstyle (Getty)

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Kim Kardashian is again facing accusations of cultural appropriation after sharing photos of herself wearing Fulani braids.

On Monday, the KKW Beauty mogul posted three photos of herself to Instagram where she can be seen posing in a white dress and braids with white beads.

“Flashback to my shoot with Vanessa Beecroft,” the 39-year-old captioned the pictures.

The same day, the reality star also shared two photos of herself attending husband Kanye West’s Paris Fashion Week show, where she is also wearing her hair in braids.

The photos prompted criticism among Kardashian’s followers, who accused her of appropriating black culture by wearing the hairstyle.

“How does she keep getting away with it?” one person tweeted.

Another said: “You are not black.”

This is not the first time Kardashian has faced backlash for wearing her hair in braids. In 2018, the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star defended her decision, telling Bustle that she understands the significance of Fulani braids, which originated in West Africa, but that she wore them to match her daughter North.

“I actually didn't see backlash,” she said at the time. “I actually did that look because North said she wanted braids and asked if I would do them with her. So we braided her hair and then we braided my hair.

"But I obviously know they're called Fulani braids and I know the origin of where they came from and I'm totally respectful of that. I'm not tone deaf to where I don't get it. I do get it."

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