Kim Kardashian wears kimono for TV role six years after facing backlash for cultural insensitivity

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Kim Kardashian recently wore a kimono, years after facing criticism for cultural insensitivity when she initially attempted to brand her shapewear line with the name of the traditional Japanese robe.

The 45-year-old reality TV star posted a photo on Sunday evening showing her in a custom-made kimono. She’s wearing the outfit for her role as a lawyer on her new show, ‘All’s Fair’.

She shared photos of the baby pink kimono her character, Allura Grant, wears. The kimono has brown trim and the letters “AG” embroidered on the waist.

She also shared a picture of herself with Ryan Murphy, the creator of the Hulu show that stars a talented cast, including the up-and-coming actress.

This post appears six years after criticism arose when she started her clothing line, Kimono Intimates, with Emma and Jens Grede in September 2019. The initial reaction centered on concerns about cultural insensitivity.

After facing backlash, she and her partners decided to rename the company SKIMS, keeping a nod to her name. She had originally been determined to launch the line under the name Kimono, but ultimately changed course.

Photos from Kardashian’s Instagram post showed her seemingly wearing the kimono as a dress, with no clothes underneath.

She styled the outfit to emphasize her figure, with a low-cut neckline and a slit that created the look of a thigh-high opening.

She completed her look with strappy heels, a silky dress, and sparkling diamond jewelry. Her dark brown hair was styled in a retro flipped bob.

In her caption, she just typed out her fictional TV character’s name: ‘AlluraGrant.’

She highlighted the detailed patterns of her kimono in several photos, even showing off the back design, and often posed with a peace sign.

Starting with a 36-item line designed for all body types and skin tones, her shapewear company has quickly grown into a billion-dollar business.

She’s since teamed up with Nike, and her company, SKIMS, is now the official underwear provider for the NBA, WNBA, and USA Basketball.

Five years ago, before her brand officially launched, she had to change the name from Kimono after facing strong criticism for being culturally insensitive.

During the summer of 2019, she responded to the criticism surrounding her shapewear line, called ‘Solutionwear.’ She announced to her fans that, after careful consideration, she would be changing the name.

At first, she refused to give in to the criticism, telling the New York Times on Thursday that the name would stay the same.

Shortly after, Kyoto’s mayor, Daisaku Kadokawa, published a letter asking the celebrity to think about changing the name.

After much anticipation, she announced to her Instagram followers on Monday that being her own boss and building a business has been incredibly fulfilling and a wonderful challenge.

She explained that being able to connect directly with her fans and the public over the years is what has allowed her to continue her work.

I’m constantly learning and evolving, and I truly value the unique ideas and enthusiasm people share with me.

She explained that when she revealed the name of her shapewear brand, she had genuinely good intentions.

Inclusivity and diversity are fundamental to my brands and products. After a lot of thought, I’ve decided to rebrand my Solutionwear line with a new name. I’ll share more details soon. Thank you for your continued support and understanding.

A lot of people thought Kim Kardashian’s ‘Kimono’ brand name showed disrespect for the traditional Japanese kimono, a garment with a history stretching back to the 15th century.

Critics also pointed out that the celebrity’s focus on lingerie was inappropriate, as traditional kimonos are worn as outer garments.

A social media user expressed sadness that the name “Kimono” is being used for something unrelated to traditional Japanese clothing. They explained that the kimono is a significant part of Japanese history and culture, and felt the name choice demonstrated a lack of awareness. They used the hashtag #KimOhNo to voice their concern.

The kimono originated in 15th-century Japan. Its name means “thing to wear on the shoulders,” and it’s a T-shaped robe with long, flowing sleeves, secured with a sash.

The kimono is often thought of as Japan’s national dress, but today it’s usually reserved for special events like weddings and coming-of-age celebrations, and is most commonly worn by women.

As a long-time admirer of kimono, I’ve noticed it’s mostly worn regularly by older generations – you’ll often see elegant older men and women in them. Of course, geisha and sumo wrestlers are practically always in traditional dress when they’re out in public, as is expected of them. It’s wonderful to see these traditions kept alive!

Before the issue with the kimono’s name arose, she had already received criticism for acting in a way that was considered insensitive to other cultures.

That April, she received backlash for wearing a traditional Indian headpiece, called a maang tikka, to a church service.

Last year in June, she received criticism for her hairstyle at the MTV Movie & TV Awards – specifically, she wore tight, braided cornrows.

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2025-12-01 09:49