(image via www.shockhound.com)
Can you believe it’s been almost 3 months since I first grappled with “The Strange Case of the Hipster Headdress?” Since then, I’ve definitely been shocked by just how much the trend has invaded indie/hipster culture, as well as more mainstream outlets (like Ke$ha on American Idol). Two weeks ago, the Coachella music festival was held in the desert of Southern California, and it seems like the go-to outfit of choice for attendees (and even some performers) included the now ubiquitous headdress. Abundant evidence below:
(image via GQ.com)
A commenter on the Coachella.com forum asks: “Why was every other douchebag at this year’s festival dressed in a colorful Native American Feather Headress with neon paint all over their bodies?”
(via brooklynvegan.com)
Twitter user evlauren tweeted from the event: “Coachella Indian head dress count so far=2″ (she got up to 4)
(via trystlove.com)
Nylon Magazine reported that “The official uniform of Coachella is cut-off jean shorts, a drape-y, belly-baring white tee, and an Indian headdress.”
(via stylesectionla.com)
Twitter user krishaleanne tweeted, the day before coachella: “packed for coachella. but still needed: an indian headdress, more confetti, light-up toys . . .oh and a ticket to coachella.”
Then there was Icelandic artist Jonsi, who performed his set in a full-on warbonnet-type thing:
(via Nylon Magazine’s flickr feed)
Which even made it to the bbc.com article on the festival:
(article and image here)
These are by no means exhaustive, there was a ridiculous amount of material to draw from. I just wanted to use this post to point out how prevalent it was, but look for a follow up that will offer a primer on just why and how this trend is harmful, hurtful, and effed up.
UPDATE 4/27: Here’s the follow up post–But Why Can’t I Wear a Hipster Headdress?
Earlier:
The strange case of the hipster headdress: http://nativeappropriations.blogspot.com/2010/02/strange-case-of-hipster-headdress.html
Ke$ha, American Idol, and a trend that won’t do away: http://nativeappropriations.blogspot.com/2010/03/keha-headdress-and-trend-that-wont-go.html
(Thanks Jesse, Lici, Lisa and anyone else who sent me links!)
Comments
Saddening, the ignorance that is on garish display.
amazing post lady!!!! you really pulled it all together and i completely agree!
“Hipsters” are pretentious douchebags….
Urgh so ignorant to the point of burlesque.
Reminds me of the time when singer Jamiroquai used to irritate me with his DIY feathered warbonnet & buffalo horned headdress.
British designer John Galliano too had his warbonnet phase awhile back.I don’t know if it makes any difference but he’s a fervent admirer of Indian culture and actually lived on a Reservation for awhile to learn about their traditions & clothing that strongly inspired him for many of his collections including for Haute Couture.
They’ve also started selling Hippie items at the Hot Topic in Madison, WI (idk if its anywhere else) and since Hippies were white folks attempt at being Native American, there’s also a lot of native themed tattoos and like “modernized” head dresses. Super effed up.
Here’s my question. Where are they *getting* all these headdresses? I don’t believe for a second that any one of those people actually made their own. So what jerk is making a small fortune selling headdresses to hipsters?
who cares how people express themselves? get the fuck off your high horse.