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The Problem With Nordstrom's K-Fashion Advertising

Diversity does not end with the inclusion of Korean designers.

Kristie Bae

Apr 11, 2017

Ohio Wesleyan University

The Problem With Nordstrom's K-Fashion Advertising

Wikimedia Commons

Korean fashion is ahead of the game. It's experimental and has many sub-styles to please just about anyone. You can find any style -- from modern to edgy to feminine and so forth. As someone who loves Korean fashion and is always looking for ways to incorporate it into my usual style, I am always excited to hear when U.S. companies start to recognize the beauty and innovation of Korean clothing. So when Nordstrom introduced that they would be having K-Fashion pop-ins in select stores and would be selling clothing from Korean brands online, I was thrilled and immediately went online to check out what they were selling. However, when I got onto Nordstrom's website, I was surprised to see that nothing was modeled by Korean models.

Here are a few examples:

If I were to describe Korean style, I would say it's fearless. It plays off of popular fabrics and designs but pushes the boundaries with its different textures, lengths, and accessories. Koreans are proud of their creative and influential style, and they have a right to be, so I find it disappointing that Nordstrom would consider selling Korean fashion without using Korean models.

There is not a shortage of Korean models in the United States. Companies pick and choose which models they want as the face of their company and have the ability to hire Korean models. Koreans and Asians are underrepresented when it comes to advertising, TV shows, movies, and much more. This is yet another example of underrepresentation.

I am pleased to see the backlash Nordstrom has been receiving because this means that others care about the underrepresentation of Asians how it is disrespectful to exclude them in their own creations. Comments from upset customers include people saying how disappointed they were that Koreans were not able to be included in the representation of their own line. Others questioned why Korean fashion was deemed worthy of Nordstrom but Korean models were not. In response to these comments, Nordstrom seems unconcerned as they nonchalantly reply with, "We’re sorry that the models used didn’t meet your expectations ."

Diversity does not end with the inclusion of Korean designers. It is important to include Korean models because their fashion is one of the many things Koreans are proud of, and they deserve to be seen. The novel, ingeniousness of Korean designs deserves to be represented accurately and respectfully. I sincerely hope Nordstrom is able to take the criticism they are receiving to heart and change the way they advertise international brands in the future.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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The Problem With Nordstrom's K-Fashion Advertising

Diversity does not end with the inclusion of Korean designers.

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The struggles of having an RBF are all too real

1. People asking if you're mad at them.

2. Those people who hand out flyers don't always try to stop you.

3. Creepy guys telling you to smile.

4. "I thought you were a bitch when I first met you."

5. People telling you you'd be "so much prettier if you smiled."

6. Doing your makeup and looking great, which somehow intensifies the bitch face.

7. Regularly explaining "it's just my face."

We all go through certain stages when we have a crush, Tina just explains it better.

That moment that someone you never looked twice at suddenly makes you do a double take out of no where.

But you can't have a crush, that's outrageous. It's all in your head.

Because you don't have a crush, there's no reason to tell anyone about anything. Right?

But then they do something irresistible and you start to lose it.

Now accepting the fact you have a crush, you have to keep it under control.

Then there's the part where you tell your friends who will claim they called it.

They'll be excited and cheer you on. That's until they realize that your crush is all you'll be talking about.

Your obsession has become so bad, that your Facebook stalking is getting out of control.

But your friends will try and help move things along any way they can. That doesn't mean it will be any helpful though.

As time goes on, you start having fantasies about the two of you and it's starting to scare you a little.

You can't focus on anything because all your attention is on them and everything they do.

Anybody who comes near your crush is now an enemy, and you are willing to fight for your crush.

When you see them, you act like an idiot. Trying to hide your feelings may not be as discrete as you think.

Keeping your feelings inside will start to be harder and harder until you can't keep it inside anymore.

Who knows, maybe it will work out? Take a chance.

Everybody hurts sometimes.

May the odds be ever in your favor.

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