Friday, May 15, 2015

Egyptomania and Cultural Appropriation

While many of us suspend our feelings of moral judgment in the interest of nostalgia, one cannot deny the blatant episode of cultural appropriation in the roaring twenties. November 26, 1922 marks the date of King Tut's tomb was discovered. This sparked an enormous interest in Egyptian culture and eventually led to a fashion craze known as "Egyptomania". This trend included mimicking sacred hair pieces and wigs and jewelry. Like many cases of appropriation this episode was not initiated out of malice but rather a genuine interest combined with severe ignorance. However, it is appropriation nonetheless and has set a precedence for the battle of appropriation for years to come.






"Woman's Afternoon Dress and Hat." The Berg Fashion Library. (n.d.). http://www.bergfashionlibrary.com/view/Philadelphia/21740.xml (accessed 15 May. 2015).

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