Appropriation is appreciation, aesthetically speaking.

We've moved beyond the clumsy debates of cultural appropriation to a more gracious understanding of cultural appreciation that impacts all aspects of product and experience. A fluidity of global craftsmanship gives rise to fashion that celebrates rather than borrows from different cultures. The shift isn't about cherry-picking references—it's about building a richer, more meaningful narrative through design. Louis Vuitton's SS25 Paris show came down a runway constructed of over a thousand trunks, not only paying homage to the brand's travel legacy but also presenting a maximalist mix of fabrics, accessories, and techniques pulled from various corners of the globe and different eras of time. Cross-cultural exchange is a two-way street. Ralph Lauren's Tokyo store recently showcased their Artists in Residence program, collaborating with a seventh-generation Dine (Navajo) textile artist—a fusion of deep Western heritage with Eastern presentation. Meanwhile, anime—once a niche subculture—has exploded into the mainstream, further illustrating the global exchange of aesthetics. Graphic components like emojis, internet slang, and anime characters are a shared visual language, transcending borders and inspiring fresh re-imaginings when crossed with different cultures. This cross-pollination of aesthetics will accelerate, so lean into authentic collaborations that spin contemporary designs honoring cultural traditions.

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