Everyone's favourite reality TV star, Kim Kardashian, has landed herself in hot soup yet again. This time, she's managed to tick off an entire country.
The 38-year-old recently announced her latest product, a new line of slimming undergarments called Kimono Solutionwear, on Twitter, and boy, a lot of people are not happy, particularly the Japanese.
Finally I can share with you guys this project that I have been developing for the last year.
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) June 25, 2019
I’ve been passionate about this for 15 years.
Kimono is my take on shapewear and solutions for women that actually work.
Photos by Vanessa Beecroft pic.twitter.com/YAACrRltX3
They accused her of cultural appropriation as kimono is the traditional outfit of Japan.
Even though the shapewear doesn’t resemble a kimono, people took to social media to criticise her move by using the hashtag #KimOhNo.
When the Mayor of Kyoto, a major cultural center of Japan, makes an official request to change the name of your underwear line, not to mention the huge objection from regular Japanese citizens, and you still refuse, you don’t really “understand and have deep respect”. #KimOhNo pic.twitter.com/XG97q4zYgb
— Mariko Austin (@marikoaustin) June 29, 2019
Time after time we've seen our cultural attire adopted and adapted to everything its NOT. Kimonos/ Chinese dresses are a symbol of tradition, culture, RESPECT and ancestry lessons. Over the years they have been adapted by the west, sexualised & meanings completely erased #Kimohno pic.twitter.com/E3wabwiubQ
— Grace (@graceylouu) June 28, 2019
Can't steal our love.
— ?かにみそ? (@kanichan9191) June 27, 2019
Kimono IS NOT underwear.
#KimOhNo pic.twitter.com/vzsFMm1BAf
#KimOhNo Kimono is not your underwear! Kimono is our traditional attire. pic.twitter.com/Hq0kdP7eD0
— Mibneko (@Mibneko1) June 27, 2019
#kimohno
— SHOKO??メルボルン (@SHOKOmelbourne) June 28, 2019
Kim Kardashian’s underwear looks great but please, please change the name.
I don’t want to explain my future kids what the difference with Japanese kimono and Kim’s kimono.
Kimono means really special to us. #kimonoisnotunderwear pic.twitter.com/MnugpFcdf6
#KimOhNo Please don't disrespect the Kimono !! Kim K. The name that you have been registered and using for your underwear trademark is inappropriate and disrespectful for Japan and Japanese people !! pic.twitter.com/bBB0HvnhGM
— Che Shieru (@shieru2411) June 28, 2019
Dear @KimKardashian ,
— 静紀 (@Shizuki_dance) June 28, 2019
I’m a dancer of Nihonbuyo; Japanese traditional dance in kimono.
Kimono is not your underwear.
Please change the name. Do not take kimono away from us.#kimono #kimOhNo #notyourunderwear #kimonotimes pic.twitter.com/vFi1aKyQPo
People are also angered by the fact that Kardashian West filed a trademark for her latest venture last year in the United States. She has also reportedly filed trademarks for “Kimono Body,” “Kimono Intimates” and “Kimono World.”This is KIMONO. NOT YOUR UNDERWEAR.#KimOhNo #kimono pic.twitter.com/UIMFT3x639
— 椎名いちこ✧*̣̩⋆̩☽⋆゜ (@ca329hachi) July 1, 2019
Kim K recently responded to the backlash, saying that she has no plans "to design or release any garments that would in any way resemble or dishonor the traditional garment."
"I understand and have deep respect for the significance of the kimono in Japanese culture," she said in a statement cited by the New York Times.
One thing’s for sure, the product has created so much controversy even before it was launched, so good luck trying to sell them.