Selena Gomez caused quite a stir at the 2013 MTV Movie Awards but it wasn’t because of who she brought as her date or the dress she wore or even the new song, “Come & Get It,” that she premiered on the show. Instead, Justin Bieber’s ex got people all riled up over an accessory she wore on her forehead. Selena accentuated her fiery red dress with a bindi, a traditional Hindu forehead decoration that has religious significance. Now she’s coming under fire from the Hindu community asking her to apologize for what they see as trivializing a part of their culture. “It is sometimes referred to as the third eye and the flame, and it is an auspicious religious and spiritual symbol,” explained Rajan Zed, leader of the Universal Society of Hinduism. “It is not meant to be thrown around loosely for seductive effects or as a fashion accessory aiming at mercantile greed.” Harsh. So far Selena’s camp hasn’t issued any sort of statement or apology, but she did perform with the bindi a second time—this time on Ellen. We’ll have to see if she keeps it or gives in to the pressure to drop the look.
4 Latina Fashion Designers Who Are Changing the Industry with Culture
It’s no secret that the fashion industry has always grappled with the issue of representation, and Latino representation is no exception. The glossy catwalks of the 80s and 90s were nearly completely dominated by the (white), nepotistic European fashion houses of the day with little room for Latino designers to showcase their talents, let alone share their culture with the world; for the few that did exist–Carolina Herrera and Isabel Toledo come to mind–their Latino identities were noticeably secondary to their work. But now it’s 2023, and though the industry is not without faults, Latino/a fashion enthusiasts can now see their cultures and experiences reflected in fashion at all levels. While plenty of Latino men have made their way in the fashion world, I’d like to specifically focus on the women–who have been historically vastly overlooked–who are changing the game and pushing the boundaries of design by bringing Latin America to high fashion.
