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Fashion Spread Accused of Using Racist Imagery

Racist Fashion Spread
Via Instagram

By Louis Chan
AsAmNews National Correspondent

 

Go to New York City and you’re likely to see an Asian person in a cone shaped straw hat and shoulder pole.

Not!

Except maybe in some fashion photographers distorted dream.

Billy Kid Studio was called out for its photo spread published in Interview Magazine.

Allen Murabayashi brought it to everyone’s attention in a blog he wrote for Photoshelter.com.

The images are not “cool” or “awesome,” Murabayashi wrote. “They play upon outdated racist stereotypes that view Asians as straw hat wearing peasants in the name of fashion.”

Outtake Xiaoyin was shot by Billy Kidd for @interviewmag #gabriellechanel

A post shared by Billy Kidd (@billykiddstudio) on


Comments on Billy Kid Studio’s Instagram page back up that opinion.

“Wow the comments here and the image itself are so ignorant. This is racist imagery.” wrote Better than Normal.

“These images reinforces several stereotypes that Asian immigrants/ communities work so hard to break from- 1)hawking counterfeit goods 2) it mocks the actual everyday struggle of immigrants trying to do what they can to survive in a country foreign to them 3) mainland Chinese workers ( unless they are rural farmers in fields, or objectified in type cast films) actually don’t live like this – this is just to start – please have a moment to reflect- it’s the equivalent of casting Hispanics in field dresses in Dior,” wrote therealphilliplim.


Billy Kid Studio offered to sit down and discuss the issue, but not without first responding with some saucy language.

“@markgongphoto @williamyan; @ajmukamal and I were inspired by mainland Chinese workers. We researched and used modern day influences to create our character,” wrote Billy Kidd Whiskey. “My intent was never to offend or tease but to uplift and honor what I find beautiful. Anyone who comments that it is hilarious is just a jackass. When all is said and done, if you are offended by this, I can’t stop you, it’s your right. My wife, who is 2nd generation American born Chinese loves this image, and that’s the only opinion that in the end matters to me besides our sons.”

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3 COMMENTS

  1. RE: Fashion spread accused of using racist imagery: After reading the response from Billy Kid Studio lemme just say this: Wow. White folks sure love their tropes. I’m married to a white man, btw. SMH.

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