November 03, 2010

Rachel Zoe as an "Indian warrior"

Adrienne Keene brings this item to our attention in her Native Appropriations blog:

Rachel Zoe as a "Makeshift Indian Warrior"Add Rachel Zoe to the list of celebrities donning racial drag this Halloween. She posted this picture October 30th on her twitter account and blog with the tweet:

"headed out as a make shift Indian warrior! Happy almost Halloween! XoRZ"
If you're wondering who Rachel Zoe is, here's the answer:

Rachel ZoeRachel Zoe is an American fashion stylist best known for working with celebrities, fashion houses, beauty firms, advertising agencies, and magazine editors. In 2008, the first season of her Bravo reality television series The Rachel Zoe Project debuted.Comment:  Needless to say, this "Indian warrior" is a stereotypical savage Indian.

This is almost a perfect example of what I talked about in Indian Wannabes = Celebrity Wannabes. A little-known "celebrity" tries to increase her fame by dressing up in a slightly transgressive outfit and sharing it with the world. "Look at me!" she's saying. "I'm an Indian! Isn't that so cool and hip and naughty of me?!"

For more celebrity Indian wannabes, see Kathy Griffin in a Headdress and Paris Hilton as a Sexy Indian. For more on the subject in general, see The Hipster Headdress Challenge, Headdresses Okay If They're "Controversial"?, and Why Hipster Headdresses Aren't Okay.

Below:  "I'm a dumb blonde...but I'm also an Indian warrior! How freakin' awesome is that?!"

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