Black Twitter doesn’t play any games when it comes to cultural appropriation. From slamming the reinvention of cornrows as trendy boxer braids courtesy of Kim Kardashian to the emergence of #OscarsSoWhite as a response to a lack of people of color nominated at the Academy Awards, it’s clear, Black Twitter doesn’t mind taking on mainstream pubs over their blatant disregard of Black people and their cultural influence. Time and time again, these pubs have proven that they’ve missed the memo. The most recent example comes courtesy of Vogue.
Back in March, Vogue published a piece titled, “Manicure Sculptures Are the Most Extreme Nail Art Yet.” The piece detailed Sarah Nguyen, a NY based manicurist’s journey to “taking the world of nail art to new maximalist heights.” Somehow the piece was re-posted over the recent holiday and garnered a slew of backlash for “breaking news” on a trend that’s been used by people of color for years.
“Manicure sculptures” are the most extreme nail art yet. https://t.co/KQunQ3jofD pic.twitter.com/c0OGsAbBzk
— Vogue Runway (@VogueRunway) December 29, 2017
Once news of the post went viral, Twitter quickly called the pub out for yet another instance of overlooking a trend made popular by minorities and calling it off as groundbreaking and new.
This isn’t Vogue’s first time coming under fire for Christopher Columbus’ing Black culture. Twitter snatched their edges for crediting Karlie Kloss with making Timberland boots “fresh” and “new,” as well as their proclamation that “We’re Officially In The Age Of The Big Booty,” back in 2014.
Check out some of the responses to Vogue’s “Manicure Sculpture” post:
Tryna gentrify nails now?.. White people really don't make it hard for you to not like them.. RT @VogueRunway: “Manicure sculptures” are the most extreme nail art yet. https://t.co/jGiGRDQ6HG pic.twitter.com/MRk6Rc6q9W
— LocHead (@ManeInMyCity) December 30, 2017
“Manicure sculptures” lol ... I guess “Junk Nails” isn’t posh enough for Vogue
— League Pass & Chill (@rachelRACH10) December 29, 2017
Hood Girls been knew this
— Jessika Freeman (@jesssikafreeman) December 29, 2017
"Manicure sculptures" So fresh, so new! Innovative! pic.twitter.com/Us44KidEXX
— Blizzard Bae (@BelluhNutella) December 29, 2017
— Uncle Zevy (@Zevyosho_0) December 29, 2017
Ya’ll STAY trying it! This has been a trend in the hood for ages.. I got denied a job once for having “ghetto nails” and now b/c white people got FOMO from Cardi rocking hers they’ve decided to rename and claim it??! Fuck ya’ll.
— Big Fine 🇭🇹 (@igobymindy) December 30, 2017
Give credit to Black Women. pic.twitter.com/di0ZiYr44I
— Jessica Sade (@FaithlessCarmen) December 29, 2017
For every article written about cultural appropriation, it's 5 of these tone deaf fluff pieces that will drown the one article out. pic.twitter.com/BGuL6vRpPE
— Moriah Briscoe (@thesheertheory) December 29, 2017
I really hope y'all get dragged for this. I swear y'all really like to pretend black people don't exist.
— ✨PrinceApollo✨ (@PrinceApllo) December 29, 2017
Korean nail artist have been doing these types of nails for DE—CADES! They also work Fashion Week all over the world doing the model’s nails, but you wouldn’t know it unless you check their IGs. That is where the “mainstream” steals their ideas.
— IG: jfrink1 (@jfrink1) December 30, 2017
Black women have been doing this for AGES. Stop stealing from black people and packaging it as your own.
— Sierra Moonlight✨ (@shedothethings) December 30, 2017
— Jordn (@lowendjordn) December 29, 2017
"manicure sculptures" just like "boxer braids" smh pic.twitter.com/0FDve6hk4H
— Kayla Farrell (@kaylafromwa) December 29, 2017
........these are gems glued to the nail. #we have been doing this for decades.
— young. black. thicc. ⚓️ (@xeauxeau) December 29, 2017
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