Cultural appropriation is toxic - it breaks down respect for other people and objectifies/dehumanizes them as some "exotic" other. It's a symptom of much bigger problems in society that result from the illness known as racism. The only cure is to give credit where credit is due. This is not respectful or tasteful, it is in fact highly unethical to rebrand a culture's traditional clothing as "festival" wear. In the fashion industry, as well as the business world, taking credit for another company's work/designs is grounds for a lawsuit, so by what logic does ASOS commit the same distasteful deed to an entire nation of people? Our culture's clothing is not a "costume" to be marketed as festival garb. Our culture is not a festival embellishment but holds thousands of years of history of which we are proud and we deeply respect. We demand that you cease all sales of this vest until its origin is properly credited and marketed to consumers as an AFGHAN WASKAT (Vest). This petition will continue until ASOS properly labels this item as well as issues a SINCERE apology to the Afghan people for their offensive behavior in disrespecting an important symbol of our ethnic heritage!

http://m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/reclaimed-vintage/reclaimed-vintage-premium-festival-gilet-with-embelishment/prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=6249741&clr=Black&SearchQuery=reclaimed+vintage+premium+festival+vest&pgesize=3&pge=0&totalstyles=3&gridsize=3&gridrow=1&gridcolumn=3

Elaha Walizadeh and Crystal Keshawarz
Co-founders, Afghan Women in The Diaspora