CULTURAL APPROPRIATION 

Dear Ms. Pettet, 

Since when do fashionistas serve the right to decide whether a religious symbol can be passed as a fashion statement?

The turban has a lot of historical context and has been around for over thousands of years. different religions wear different colours according to their beliefs and culture. For instance in Islam, Prophet Mohammed used to wear a white turban which is a holy color. In Sikhism the main reasons to wear turban are to take care of the hair, promote equality, and preserve the Sikh identity. The people of the Sikh religion do not cut their hair as a religious observance so therefore the turban protects the hair and keeps it clean. Sikhs only form 2% of India’s population, their turbans help identify them. So the Sikhs rely on their turban for their master identity. When he institutionalized the turban as a part of the Sikh identity, Guru Gobind Singh said, "My Sikh will be recognized among millions."

I don't think its right for you and other fashionistas to portray your "fashion ideas" through other peoples cultures and beliefs. By using the turban as a fashion icon, you gradually start degrading it and the significance of the turban starts to vanish. As I have already stated, Sikhs make up only 2% of India's population which represent their identity by wearing the turban so you're slowly decreasing their identity to the community and other cultures. 

Yet although you might not think that you're insulting them or treating them unjustly, many religious or cultural people would take to offense how you're making an important symbol in their culture disappear for your own gain and fashion fame.  

"...after a two-season slump, the intricately bold turban designs at the Marc by Marc Jacobs show for Spring/Summer 2013 proved the fashion trend is, yet again, the hottest, statement-worthy accessory to try."

"Whether it's a traditional headwrap style or a detailed headband, the turban is this season's perfect show-stopping way to top of your look."

You say those statements, ignorant to the fact that these turbans generate from a long timed culture and religions and actually have a meaning and significance to people. This is disrespectful in many different cases. Many people don't know about the origin of the turban so they'll believe that it actually originates as a fashion icon and doesn't have any significance or history, making it even less valuable as a cultural item. In my opinion this should not be a frequent thing and many Sikhs are not happy with how their icon is being played with as ignored as what it really stands for. This should be respected and treated carefully because it is offensive to many. 

I would much appreciate it if you could consider changing the way you view this and at least give a bit of context regarding the turban.

Many thanks, 

Ghadeer Salih