H&M is Under Fire for Selling Controversial Headdress in Canadian Stores

Find out why the retail giant is in trouble.

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Complex Original

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Music festivals attract certain types of people, who wear certain types of outfits. Naturally, retailers want to take advantage of that. H&M recently launched its "H&M Loves Music" collection, which features apparel and accessories intended for such events. 

The line includes leather jackets, tons of flannel, flower wreaths, plus a feather headdress that has caused quite the controversy. People have complained that the headdress in question resembles that of the ones used by the Native Americans, and is offensive.

"[The headdressess] are a sign of honour and respect and leadership, they’re not a cute accessory to be worn in a nightclub while people are dancing to music,” Kim Wheeler, an Ojibwa-Mohawk from Winnipeg, MB, told CTV. “My first instinct was to buy all of them and throw them in the garbage.”

The accessory was reportedly sold in Canadian and U.K. stores, but has been removed from all Canadian stores following complaints. 

"Of course we never want to offend anybody or come off as insensitive,” H&M spokesperon Emily Scarlett said. “We’re always about being there for our customers."

It's still unclear whether or not H&M stores in other countries are still carrying the headdress.

H&M hasn't been the only retailer that's been criticized for selling Native American-inspired items, though. Last year, Victoria's Secret was under fire for the fringed bikini, full-length headdress, and high-heeled moccasins Karlie Kloss wore in its annual fashion show. Kloss and Victoria's Secret did apologize later and removed the outfit from video footage. 

Urban Outfitters has also landed in hot water for its tribal pattern items.

What do you think? Did H&M cross the line?

[via BuzzFeed Fashion]

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