Cultural appropriation is an ethical issue that has divided the fashion industry. Part of the issue lies in the vagueness of the term cultural appropriation. After all, an individual's lived experiences and truths shape how he or she assesses the harm of cultural appropriation. 
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The social justice movement has prompted the fashion industry to reflect on its history of cultural appropriation--both good and bad. As accusations of cultural misuse gain traction, fashion designers endeavor to defend their work. Meanwhile, consumers must re-evaluate their support for designers and fashion houses whose actions--intentionally or unintentionally--harm the BIPOC community. 

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The increasing awareness around cultural appropriation has opened up room for intellectual discussion and in-depth analysis. Now more than ever, we need to demystify the phrase cultural appropriation to prevent future harm.