Online Shopping Site Markets SIA Uniform As ‘Vintage African’
We’ve all probably wanted to try on the Singapore Airlines (SIA) uniform at some point in our lives. After all, they look chic, modern… and apparently, ‘vintage African’?
No, you actually did read that correctly.
Overseas online shopping website Depop recently listed the well-known kebaya on its website using some unusual descriptions, including but not limited to, ‘vintage African’.
Source: @leyylaaah on Twitter
As if to stress the strangeness of the listing, the model displaying the outfit strikes several OTT poses as well. And not just any old pose, either — scroll down to find out.
Online shopping platform markets SIA uniform as ‘vintage African’
Twitter user Leyla Rose aka @leyylaaah posted information about the listing on the social media platform, calling it “wild” for its strange description of the SIA uniform.
Source: @leyylaaah on Twitter
“How are you selling a Singapore Airlines uniform and calling it ‘vintage African’?” she asked. We are all frankly dying to know the answer as well.
After all, while both the traditional batik kebaya and African traditional clothing are beautiful, they don’t look all that alike.
That’s not the only label used to describe the uniform, too. Other tags include ‘indie’, ’90s’, ‘unisex’, and interestingly enough, ‘Y2K’.
Source: Depop
For comparison, here’s a picture of Y2K fashion.
We’ll let the image speak for itself.
Source: weheartit
It’s not as if the model appears very fond of the listing either. In one picture, she contorts herself into a pose, which frankly looks painful. She draped herself in a reverse ‘C’ position, with her hands gripping the legs of the plastic chair she was resting on. Weeeiiiird.
Source: Depop
In yet another, she levels a bored look at the camera. Much attitude there.
If you’re curious, the listing for the SIA uniform is still up on Depop, selling for S$83.40 (£49). Despite the complaints, it has done pretty well so far, having been sold to more than 700 customers.
Netizens express confusion about listing
Understandably, the listing has generated a significant amount of confusion among netizens. Some had a very simple reaction to it.
Source: Twitter
Others called the listing out for what it really was — an outrageous case of cultural appropriation.
Source: Twitter
However, there were those who suggested that the seller behind the post might in fact be a Singaporean themselves.
Source: Twitter
Source: Twitter
This theory has some merit, as children’s versions of the uniform are actually available. A Singaporean calling it ‘vintage African’, though, might be a bit of a stretch (pun intended).
Curiously enough, famous Parisian couturier Pierre Balmain actually designed the uniform with traditional Asian batik, back in 1968.
Putting that in the listing could have been a stronger selling point. But alas, the poor seller might not even know what batik is.
Whatever the reason behind the confounding post, netizens came to a similar conclusion — that the model sure had a tough time on set.
Source: Twitter
Cultural appropriation is not okay
Sure, we’ve all had a good laugh over these pictures. However, this does point to a concerning problem in the West — cultural appropriation.
Too often, foreign sellers copy local designs for their own uses, not recognising their origins.
Whether online platforms will start to regulate such listings remains to be seen. In the meantime, we will have to rely on our netizens to call such sellers out on their behaviour.
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Featured image adapted from Depop.
