Cultural appropriation is not a new topic when it comes to Kylie Jenner. On Saturday, the youngest KUWTK star showed up and sat FROW at Alexander Wang’s NYFW show donning a high ponytail. But it’s not the ponytail itself that’s causing a stir, it’s the hair she used to create her look that has her on the receiving end of contention.
Instead of using her usual Remi hair weave, Kylie used Yaki – a type of hair specifically used for braiding (or to add length to weaves) by black women around the globe.
According to Afrocare.com, “Yaki (Yaky) hair has more volume, it feels coarser to touch than Silky (European) hair. This effect is created by imparting a very slight crimp to the hair strands during processing.” Essentially Yaki hair is meant to mimic relaxed hair of black women, and the fact that it doesn’t match Kylie’s natural hear is why black women are up in arms about her choice.
Like we said, this isn’t the first time that Kylizzle’s been accused of cultural appropriation. Remember last year when Hunger Games star Amandla Stenberg called Kylie out for styling her hair in cornrows: “When you appropriate black features and culture but fail to use your position of power to help black Americans by directing attention towards your wigs instead of police brutality or racism #whitegirlsdoitbetter,” Stenberg wrote in a comment under one of Jenner’s photos.
Naturally, the Twittersphere hasn’t failed to make its feelings and reactions known:
So. This is Kylie Jenner.
It must be so cool to be a Black woman for the aesthetics and face none of the issues. pic.twitter.com/BeITuj3MuR— Panic! At The Bando (@FireinFreetown) February 14, 2016
Why the hell is Kylie Jenner’s ponytail made of braiding hair
— slim thiccxxx (@ExRoyalTy) February 14, 2016
White Media: Kylie Jenner rocks new crumpled high ponytail! Watch out for this trend in fall of ’016. pic.twitter.com/y5LE8cAabC
— ️ (@sexfenty) February 14, 2016
I’m not mad about Kylie Jenner’s ponytail. I’m mad she mixed Indian goat fur with her natural texture.
— Nai (@_NaiTai) February 14, 2016
Kylie Jenner really wore the hair you use to get braids as a ponytail tho. I’m weak.
— Imani B (@youdoingtoomuch) February 14, 2016