Kim Kardashian is officially changing the name of her recently announced shapewear line, Kimono Solutionwear, after receiving backlash from fans.
Kim announced the release of Kimono Solutionwear just last week, and the negative feedback was immediate. Fans accused her of cultural appropriation (for the millionth time).
A kimono is a traditional Japanese garment that plays an important role in Japanese society. Kimonos are often worn for special occasions and passed down for generations.
Needless to say, Kim's line of shapewear bears no resemblance to its Japanese namesake.
To make matters worse, she even attempted to trademark the name "Kimono."
After an enormous wave of criticism on social media, she addressed fans' concerns. She initially defended her choice of the name and explained that the trademark would not prevent anyone from "making kimonos or using the word kimono in reference to the traditional garment."
After a few days, though, Kim backed down. On Monday, she announced that she is officially changing the name of the brand.
Last week, Kim Kardashian announced that she was releasing a new line of shapewear called Kimono Solutionwear. While people were excited about the idea, they were not happy with its execution.
One of the main criticisms was over the name. The kimono is an important garment in Japanese culture, and it comes with a long history of meaning and tradition.
Kim's shapewear line has no connection to that history, and yet she co-opted the name and even tried to trademark it.
Many Japanese people were vocal about Kim's mistake. They explained why this is cultural appropriation and why it's disrespectful.
Many people flooded the replies to Kim's promo photos with a simple demand: Change the name.
Also, Japanese women began sharing photos of themselves in actual kimonos to make a point. "Kimono" isn't just a fun word or a branding opportunity.
People even came up with a hashtag to draw attention to the issue: #KimOhNo. Gotta love Twitter for holding celebrities accountable in way that they can't ignore!
Kim quickly responded to fans' concerns with a statement to the New York Times.
"I understand and have deep respect for the significance of the kimono in Japanese culture and have no plans to design or release any garments that would in any way resemble or dishonor the traditional garment," she wrote.
She explained why she chose this name in the first place.
"I made the decision to name my company Kimono, not to disassociate the word from its Japanese roots but as a nod to the beauty and detail that goes into a garment," she added.
And she defended her decision to trademark the name:
"Filing a trademark is a source identifier that will allow me to use the word for my shapewear and intimates line but does not preclude or restrict anyone, in this instance, from making kimonos or using the word kimono in reference to the traditional garment."
A few days later, however, Kim did something unexpected. She decided to admit her mistake and change the name of the brand completely. Kimono is no more!
She announced the decision on Instagram.
"Being an entrepreneur and my own boss has been one of the most rewarding challenges I’ve been blessed with in my life," she wrote.
"What’s made it possible for me after all of these years has been the direct line of communication with my fans and the public."
"I am always listening, learning and growing—I so appreciate the passion and varied perspectives that people bring to me. When I announced the name of my shapewear line, I did so with the best intentions in mind," she continued.
"My brands and products are built with inclusivity and diversity at their core and after careful thought and consideration, I will be launching my Solutionwear brand under a new name. I will be in touch soon. Thank you for your understanding and support always."
Victory!
Hopefully Kim's willingness to listen to her fans and critics sets a positive example for other celebrities.
