The reality star came under fire after announcing the new line was called “Kimono,” which is also the name of a traditional Japanese robe. People took to Twitter to express their frustrations and the hashtag #KimOhNo started making the rounds.
“Why’s it called kimono if that’s a completely different style of clothing,” one Twitter use wrote. “I get that you’re incorporating your name but kimono is the name of a traditional (and cultural) Japanese robe.”
Another posted, “Anyone else mad that Kim K really has a new brand called ‘Kimono’???? Like?? How is her shapewear even connected to Japan? I’m mad.”
Following the backlash, Kim told People exclusively, “It’s obviously a play off of my name, and ‘ono’ means one. I wanted this [to be] for everyone and we thought of the name and it just stuck.”
She also gave a statement to the New York Times saying that Kimono was meant to be “a nod to the beauty and detail that goes into a garment” and she does not plan to design items that “resemble or dishonor the traditional garment.”
That being said, she does not plan to the change the name.
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