What a story to hit the fashion world! A big uproar about Kim Kardashian’s latest business venture has divided critics and fans. Even the Japanese Mayor of Kyoto has officially commented about Kim’s choice of name for her new product. A huge wave of protest, especially from Japanese people, swamped social media.
Kim Kardashian, just recently, released her new shapewear collection and called it KIMONO. Her choice for the name had such an intense and surprising reaction from the public that it left Kim and company reeling with shock. She was accused of not being culturally appropriate.
Her immediate response was that she, absolutely, had no intention of ever being insensitive. Especially culturally! The choice of the name was just ‘a play on her name’ Kim.
Using their personal names in a product’s name is a standard practice with the Kardashians. There are many examples where they have included their name in the product’s name.
It is, also, very understandable that the marketing team thought the name, Kim-ono made sense and that it was catchy and cute.
There is the obvious difference in the two garments, of course. The Kimono fits loosely and the shapewear hugs your body like a second skin. This fact alone suggests that the Kim’s team wasn’t thinking of the traditional Japanese Kimono when they picked the name.
Unfortunately, someone didn’t think of the Japanese traditional dress, the Kimono, and the cultural history and significance of the Kimono.
That someone might not have thought of this is plausible, though. When you think of the word, Kimono, you don’t always think of a Japanese woman dressed in a classic Japanese dress.
The word, Kimono, is also used in connection with cardigans, jackets and robes. The style is loose fitting and open fronted. Both men and women wear dressing gowns or robes, also called Kimonos, over sleepwear or bathing suits. Usually, there is a matching belt used to help close the item of clothing.
Interesting to note here is that no one is making an outcry over companies who are promoting and selling what they call: Kimono Cardigans, Kimono Jackets or Kimono Robes. Just, Kimono Shapewear gets called out.
So, definitely, a sign of our times is people on social media protesting their latest outcry against their newest petition. How dare someone use the Japanese word, KIMONO, for intimate shapewear? True and valid point, for sure.
Kim showed true business smarts by not over-reacting to the criticisms and the worldwide outcry. Instead, she took note of their viewpoints and didn’t respond defensively. She acknowledged the comments and decided to change the name.
Just a reminder…. lol #SKIMS pic.twitter.com/Rnv6MCx5RC
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) 3 de septiembre de 2019
On Twitter, Kim Kardashian officially made the announcement to cancel the brand name. She, very humbly stated that, ‘after careful thought and consideration’, the name would be changed. Acknowledgment to her loyal fans’ understanding and support’ was posted also on Instagram.
This was definitely a major response and a very timely business move. Soon, the social outcry against Kim Kardashian’s newest brand of shapewear will be forgotten and the network users will move on to their latest wave of protest against the next mistake made from the business world of celebrities.
The new name is still being a play on her name, which is also a smart move, business-wise.
SKIMS Solutionwear is the new name (note: the clever inclusion of her name.) It is actually a brilliant name replacement and more fitting than KIMONO.
Obviously, this is the case as the name, SKIM fits the shapewear style of intimate wear clinging to your body and not hanging loosely. The new #ShowYourSKIMS is also so catchy.
Three cheers to Kim Kardashian for coming up with a great solution to the social outcry against her first choice of the new name for her new brand of shapewear.
Check on our Skims Review to know more about this brand
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