The word "exotic" is not an inherently bad word.
As the definition for this adjective states; "originating in or characteristic of a distant foreign country."
Why then do some fashion and beauty brands insist on using it to describe aesthetics that are not typically Eurocentric? Or to validate the beauty of people of colour?
Pop singer Katy Perry is no stranger to being a bit culturally tone-deaf and this time, it's her latest shoe collection with "exotic designs" that has us side-eyeing this description as well as the shoes in question.
Yikes RT @PopAlarms: Katy Perry launches new shoe collection with exotic designs. pic.twitter.com/FnCZVszV9r
— Mina (@KaminaBlue) January 20, 2019
Even more concerning is the black pair of shoes that resembles blackface imagery, as the facial features embellished on each shoe type look even more exaggerated against the black leather slipper.
READ MORE: Katy Perry kissed a boy and he didn't mind it - why it was important for her to ask anyway
Remember those Prada monkey-like keychains that got pulled for racist imagery and got called out by their namesake Instagram account, Diet Prada?
Well this pair of blackface shoes is a pretty similar disaster waiting to happen.
This new shoe collection does not yet appear on the Katy Perry Collection social media accounts, where the star's quirky footwear is usually showcased. Could it be that her team is anticipating some kind of backlash?
There's no telling just yet, but what we can say is that the description "exotic" in the context of beauty and fashion is problematic, as it is a form of othering based on the false notion that there is only one acceptable standard of beauty or art.
Furthermore, it portrays a complete disregard for the culture from which you drew inspiration from when you call the work you've produced "exotic", á la Katy Perry.
READ MORE: A Twitter account is exposing white women who pretend to be black
Quantico actress Priyanka Chopra has even addressed this before in an interview addressing colourism in India and the complexities of being an Indian actress in Hollywood.
"When somebody else calls you exotic, exotic is a box — it’s the stereotype of snake charmers and face jewelry," the actress reportedly said. "You’re just that stereotype."
As a result, the racist undertones of this term can also not be ignored, so for as long as major brands or even celebrity collections use it to market their merchandise, the internet will not hesitate to ask a few fiery questions.
In the meantime, the banter on Twitter is top tier as usual:
gerl that black katy perry shoe looks a little suspicious pic.twitter.com/wVGeNrhWni
— UmaFagtonAbortedFetus (@megastud22) January 21, 2019
Katy Perry launches new shoe collection with exotic designs. pic.twitter.com/wOBz9OLqi1
— ? (@sheswoIfs) January 20, 2019
Katy Perry’s latest collection includes a pair of shoes that resemble Miley Cyrus! Would you buy? pic.twitter.com/dWkcthIaa8
— jason (@2013iley) January 21, 2019
What are your thoughts on the term "exotic"? Do you think it's ever an appropriate compliment? Tell us here.
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