Karlie Kloss has apologised via Twitter for the yellowface geisha Vogue issue in which she was accused of cultural appropriation.
Kloss came under fire for cultural appropriation in the latest issue of Vogue. The 24-year-old had dressed as a traditional Japanese geisha with a patterned robe and black wig whilst posing with a sumo wrestler.
The former Victoria’s Secret model posted the Vogue photographs on her Twitter, only to be met with criticism from the Twittersphere.
However, some Twitter users were less critical of the model, saying that this was not an example of cultural appropriation at all.
Nonetheless, Kloss issued an apology statement on Twitter, claiming she was “truly sorry for participating” in the photo shoot.
“These images appropriate a culture that is not my own and I am truly sorry for participating in a shoot that was not culturally sensitive,” she wrote.
“My goal is, and always will be, to empower and inspire women. I will ensure my future shoots and projects reflect that mission.”
This is not the first time Kloss has been accused of cultural appropriation. In 2012, the then Victoria Secret model appeared on the runway in fringed leather bra, panties, high-heeled moccasins and a replica Native American headdress. Kloss also apologised on Twitter saying “I am deeply sorry if what I wore during the VS Show offended anyone. I support VS’s decision to remove the outfit from the broadcast.”
