Exposing Magnolia Pearl: From Poverty Core to Cultural Appropriation
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- Опубліковано 4 лип 2024
- After seeing a handful of TikToks with clothing from Magnolia Pearl, I decided to do a deep dive on the brand and the creator, Robin Brown.
Robin's new book brought me to tears multiple times. Hearing her speak about her life gave me so much inspiration and hope for mine but some things about her brand do not sit right with me.
I do not think she is glamouring "poverty-core" but I am not sure if there is a "right way" to use Indigenous figures in clothing design. Even though she does donate a lot of money to charity, I think it is a complicated topic. Also, the planation collection is beyond horrible.
I wish there was more information out there about how clothing is manufactured because I do think that Magnolia Pearl has enough money to make things ethically and sustainably.
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★ Resources ★
Original TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@chelseajordyn...
Girl in Butterfly Overalls: www.tiktok.com/@itsmissadrian...
Mom in Pink Overalls: www.tiktok.com/@chelseajordyn...
NY Times Article: www.nytimes.com/2023/07/10/st...
Poverty-Core Commentary TikTok 1) www.tiktok.com/@jaysonmimosa/...
Poverty-Core Commentary TikTok 2) www.tiktok.com/@jaysonmimosa/...
the working class aesthetic is cool now?: • the working class aest...
Why Rich People love pretending to be poor: • Why Rich People Love P...
Indigenous Commentary 1) www.tiktok.com/@mercilesssava...
Indigenous Commentary 2) www.tiktok.com/@catieosaurus/...
Plantation Collection: www.tiktok.com/@herrerashow/v...
Working Conditions: • Fashion brand Magnolia... glLrY1Jq08AqpKl4
Closing Meme: www.tiktok.com/@sryigtg/video...
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To avoid cultural appropriation - pay Indigenous makers to help make the clothes with a fair wage so their traditions are incorporated in the garments & it's made with their vision and involvement. Donate to causes with the profit. To me that seems like a solution.
That is a good idea! Magnolia Pearl already donates to various Indigenous charities but I think it would be awesome if they employed Indigenous people to make the clothing like you said. It would be cool if they could help design pieces too! Of course, while getting paid a living wage.
what an innovative idea,it’s so simple. you have all the answers. as if that hasn’t been suggested a hundred million times. your ideas aren’t new just recycled.
It's very interesting that the designer/artist grew up poor and found inspiration in that aesthetic/style and also re-purposed materials. I think the problem people have lies with the rich people that buy this clothing to "look bohemian, hippie, shabby-chic" ... aka impoverished as you said. Really insightful video!
Thank you for the support! I appreciate your kind words.
I first heard of Magnolia Pearl in the mid '00s. At that time, her clothes and purses were lavish! Silk, velvet, lace, funky embroidery. So her style has really shifted, especially since 2012, when she shifted production to India. If you read her first book and compared it to her second, it sounds like an entirely different person. All the pieces I own were bought on eBay or etsy. I'm not supporting someone who uses Indian sweatshops.
I have a couple of acquaintances who wear a lot of Magnolia Pearl. The clothes are good quality for what they are, definitely decent fabrics, lots of specialty embellishments, finishing treatments and construction details. I'd class it between boutique and wearable art. Overpriced, but very niche.
But, wow, the designer needs to stay away from the offensive themes and imagery.
The plantation collection clip showing models in raggy clothes in a field, holding cotton sacks raised my eyebrows. I've got a few photos of my dad and his siblings as 1930s child laborers in Texas cotton fields wearing clothes that aren't really that dissimilar from what the models are wearing. It makes me wonder if she used archival photos of Depression era Texas cotton field laborers for inspiration.
I have never seen anyone wear it in real life! Maybe everyone I know is broke or too boring 😂 I could see my aunt wearing it though. She is located 3 hours South from me and really big into boutiques.
That’s so crazy that the clothing is so similar to what your father and uncles were wearing in the 30’s! I feel like so many designers do controversial things. Makes me wonder if it’s on purpose or everyone is just ignorant?
I love the point you made about how the unhoused do not look like this. It doesn’t feel like original work to me because it looks like a costumer from old movies and tv shows made it.
Yeah! The “poor” and the “rich” don’t just look like one thing now of days. I know a lot of broke people that wear lots of street wear. Then there is some rich people like Steve Jobs that wore the same outfit everyday to avoid spending too much time getting ready and having to make choices about what to wear.
Some of the outfits do look a little costume-y but I think if you wore pieces with “regular” clothes, they’d probably look a bit more modern.
Unhoused is such a weird term after having spent a few years of my life as homeless and working with the homeless community. I think the best thing one of our locals said was: "unhoused is a sanitization of the reality made up by rich folks. It's a sign of privilege."
But having said that, many of my local homeless community, you wouldn't know they were homeless with just a photo. Some live in a shelter, and there are charities to get decent clothes. No one knew my kids and I were homeless.
But she's taking inspiration from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, not today. I think that's the misconception. But I can see the vision. But it is super cringe to idolize the look of poverty, even if it's not modern poverty. Even great depression Era poverty, it's still highly questionable.
I just love this video. Yes, the clothes are obscenely priced-but maybe not so much if viewed as works of art. She’s got a gimmick-God bless her and she’s running with it. In any event, her story and style are inspiring. I’m as old as hell, creative and needed a lift so…thank you!!!!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤
Thanks for watching! So glad you liked the video. It means a lot ❤️ That’s a good point, if you look at the clothes as art, the price feels more reasonable. Robin is super talented and found her calling. I don’t think I know of any other brand that does anything similar. She is quite unique!
When I was on Pinterest years ago, maybe 2014??? I found this brand and I LOVED it but the price was obscene. It reminded me of Victorian trading co which I also liked but was outside of my means. I love the shabby chic look so much but at what actual cost? I’d rather take inspo and make something on my own, which would be more fulfilling.
This reminds me of late 70s early 80s Vivienne Westwood (New romantics/buffalo girls etc.) but with an Americana twist.
I love Magnolia Pear clothing but I absolutely hate the price. My mom use to make my clothes in the early 60s . She was s natural at all crafts. She taught me and I used some of her awesome 50s dresses to repurpose into the mod styles coming out of London. I later regreted cutting up such beautiful dresses and starting collecting and wearing vintage in the mid 70s. I repurpose stuff all the time and still like the hippie bag lady look. Good video, I had no idea the horrors and the benefits of growing up with starving artists
I’m a magnolia pearl collector. I’m also an indie fashion collector. Her clothes are seen as works of art. Creatively she is on par with Pam Hogg (someone else I collect). Her aesthetic is-her own, and clearly comes from her life and memories. it is clear that her creative process is playful . She truly is one of the real deal of indie fashion. The clothing, in my opinion is accurately priced.
i used to have Pam Hogg dress in the 80s from her affordable range, some of those designers did a cheaper range for a short time in the 80s. Gaultier did a affordable denim as well Galliano did some , so sad i never kept my Pam Hogg it,
I love Pam Hogg! She had the collect little boutique in London. Hyper Hyper had a section of her work as well. Amazing designer, glad to see a collector of her work! ❤️
@@taissalada i dont have any of clothes anymore sadly, i must of donated to charity shop,.Yes she is amazing. I loved her yellow hair. Oh yes i remember Hyper Hyper.
I used to have the thin stripes red and black jersey mini skirt and off the shoulder jersey top,wore in the day back then lol
Thank you for sharing! I will check out Pam Hogg soon. Someone else commented something similar to you in regards of seeing the clothing as works of art. Having that perspective makes the pricing seem more reasonable. It is hard to remember how much work is put into making clothing because fast fashion is desensitizing. Some clothes (not MP clothes) seem disposable instead of a means to express oneself. I really like her style and I admire her strength. Maybe I am a smidge bitter that I can't afford anything remotely close to her price points.
Christopher Columbus was out there fighting for the freedom for money to fly into his own pocketbook.
Really interesting video so far! I like how much detail you went into her background.
I am Native American. My mother is full Native. It makes me feel a variety of emotions that aren't good when I see clothing using our imagery. It makes me feel fetishized and like a mascot for some sort of belief system unrelated to our own. I often feel very uncomfortable when somebody asks me my ethnicity cuz of how many times I've heard them say next "Oh I LOVE Native Americans!" I feel the same of the use of dream catchers everywhere. They have their own cultural history and meaning that I doubt many people know. Overall it makes me feel sad for my cultural history and it's future that people pick and chose what they like about us and make it an aesthetic choice. An aesthetic choice that has no foundation or understanding of its history or importance.
I've known of Magnolia Pearl since probably 2008 or so but never really knew anything about the company. I was into it more so for the decor because I love shabby chic, but sometimes their stuff was a little more shabby than chic. I still remember some people on a message board making fun of some magnolia pearl kitchen shoot, talking about you'd probably need a tetanus shot after having made a sandwich in there. lol Profiting off indigenous americans is wrong of course, but it didn't shock me. That plantation collection, however... wow. Apparently, plantations were very in at that time. That was the year Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds held their wedding at a plantation.
The clothing is very interesting design wise but obviously way overpriced. I have always been into sewing and up cycling and in the late 80s to early 90s there was a big trend towards “country and shabby chic” decor and clothes. Except most people didn’t buy it pre-made. We made our own shabby chic clothes and decor. You could even buy printed appliqué panels that you cut out and decorated a T-shirt, Jacket, or jeans. Decoupaged furniture with florals and Victorian art was popular. I still have the mannequin I decoupaged way back then. My point is that the style was not unique or her own. I think she has a really good eye for print and colour schemes though which is probably why her brand really took off. Personally, I leaned more towards the Whimsigoth aesthetic in the 90s with dark colours and celestial or Victorian styles. But that shabby chic dusty pink and cream was huge back then!
On a side note though, if you like the style and want to make your own 600$ jeans then look up Traci Meyers. She has some excellent DIY videos on how to make them. Cheers!
Thank you for sharing! I loved hearing about your experience. I didn't realize the shabby chic style went back so far. I thought it was something kinda new. What do I know? I was born in '97. My mom's style has become more shabby chic in the last 15 years. It has become pretty popular in general too. I see lots of shabby chic stuff in Home Goods! But my mom loves a good DIY!!
I know patchwork is a common practice but I don't see too many pieces like Robin's on the market so it does feel a little unique in that sense. I don't see too many brands purposely making new clothes look so worn out. Although I do follow a handful of women on social media that do a lot of clothes thrifting then reuse the fabric to make new pieces. Some have a business and sell their pieces, some just do it for fun. I do agree that she has a good eye. I am also more of a Whimsigoth girl too so not everything is my personal style. I basically only wear black and olive green these days HAHAHA
I actually saw one of Traci's TikTok's when I was researching for this video! I meant to put a little clip in the video but forgot. I used to sew when I was a little girl, I have been waiting to take it up again. I miss making things! I will watch more of her content soon.
@@angelycavioletYeah lol I think UA-cam recommended this video for me cause I am an absolute Traci Meyer Stan 😆 she’s super encouraging and inspiring in how she teaches people fun techniques to try to build their own upcycled visions!
The butterfly overalls are sooo cute
IKR?! I can’t afford them but also probably could never get myself to spend that much on overalls but if I saw them thrifting, I would definitely get them 😭
Sometimes all I see is how much this country hates older women. We (I am around Robin’s age) grew up in the time of Grunge, followed by Shabby Chic. Having anything new was kind of shameful. My husband still refuses to wear sneakers in public until they are grubby and broken in.
There is always hate for women over 40 and anything we like is silly or stupid and fodder for attack. The glee with which people attack older women for wasting their money on clothes is disheartening. I mean.. .what about golf? That’s shitty for the planet. That’s expensive. Men’s interests are so much more permissible. Ugh,
I do agree with you! I think the world loves picking on women, especially older ones. The world tells older women to age gracefully then tells them they are fake for getting Botox or dying their gray hair. Or the world makes women feel like they are only valuable if they are attractive. I honestly think it’s a way to put women down so they don’t understand the power because women basically do run the world. Women do the most of decision making in the home when it comes to scheduling or spending money on groceries, activities, vacation or just general caregiving. I know I am being very stereotypical but we are very important. Especially because of our money because we hold a lot of purchasing power. Hell, that’s why most ads or products are targeted towards women!
I genuinely do not care what people spend their money on, unless you’re a billionaire then I’m judging you a lot 😂 But I think no matter what a woman spends their money on, there will always be someone there to say something rude.
A part of me is bitter that I can’t afford expensive things like Magnolia Pearl. A part of me also doesn’t like there is no transparency about how the clothes are made. A part of me really admires Robin’s work and her life story. I really like her grungey boho style! I think most of life is nuanced and complicated.
Thank you!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤ spot on. There's a huge amount of ageism, here.
16:41 has me ON THE FLOOR ur reaction HAHAHHAHA
These are the kinds of videos I enjoyyyyyy
Thank you for the support! It took me forever to research, film and edit 🥹
I don't understand when people are such haters of MP. She has done her thing and done well for it. 🙌🏻❤️But I also don't think her "style" is all that original either. She has had excellent marketing of historic reiterations. ❤Helena Bonham Carter has always dressed like this. Thrifters and sewists like myself have worn and created patchwork, lace, historic inspired clothing for years and yet MP has come after many people trying to sell their items or creators on YT doing MP inspired clothing and gotten their channels to have strikes.
I am happy for her (horrific poor childhood myself as well) and wish MP all the best as a brand and Robin as a person but please don't act like you own an esthetic. ☺️❤You are beautiful btw.
I'm not paying that much to look that shabby 😂. I have enough old clothes to do that on my own.
Columbus wasn’t looking for religious freedom. He wanted wealth and fame. It was William Bradford of Plymoth Colony in Massachusetts that was the first to leave for religious freedom.
Slow stitching, sashiko (sp?), quilting techniques, embroidery, and so much more are taught all over UA-cam. If you want the artsy look, do it yourself and make it actually authentic!
Great take. Just stumbled upon you today and even having lived in Austin, I had never heard of her. Sadly, I'm not shocked though. This kind of poverty-chic was all the rage in the hippie, artsy community while I lived there and no one thought of it as appropriation or trying to look impovrished. But appropriation wasn’t a conversation being had widely at the time, so things may have changed by now.
Ok-yeah-the plantation line is morally reprehensible-hands down-obscene.
Do a Google image search for Texas child cotton pickers, and tell me that's not where she took that "look" from.
I agree!
I would be interested to hear your thoughts on sustainable fashion. Brands like Christy Dawn, Linennaive.. one dress is like $600 and you often see a lot of influencers in these pieces. I love the idea behind paying makers a fair wage and using sustainable materials but for the average person, even spending $100 on an item is a lot. These brands are for the wealthy, 1% of the population I suppose. Yet, the audiences of these influencers are moms, typical 20-30 year olds you're just going to put in debt as they try and emulate a certain aesthetic. And then there's a feeling of guilt if you can't invest in the pieces "for a good cause" or have an issue with spending that amount of money. I honestly wonder if influencers who push ads and discount codes for these brands even realize the cause and effect of what they're doing. At the end of the day, it's another piece of clothing on our planet that could end up in landfill. Thrifting and buying used, re-purposing and up cycling is the answer I guess!
As someone who grew up really poor, I can't imagine charging that much for clothes as an adult. Also there were aspects of her childhood story that somehow didn't ring true to me.
very interesting, I live close to the store in Fredericksburg Texas. Roseanne Barr was on an interview talking about how she loves Magnolia Pearl and wears it all the time.
On the topic of using white freedom fighters, the town she has lived in for ever has a plenty of war history surrounding it. I know she could find inspo easily knowing she’s facing backlash for that
It's just shabby chic, which has been around for 25 years. P.S. can the phrase 'It's giving' please be retired? 🙏
I used to make fun of the clothes now I really know what’s the meaning behind it. Thought it was the same as baleniga with beat up shoes but it’s deeper
“Heyeyeyeyeee heeeyyyeeeeyeeee I said hey, what’s goin on?”
That song immediately popped into my head. Looks like 90’s eclectic with a dirty, I lost my job at the record store, twist.
Sorry to 4 non-blondes. They are in no way dirty, just “funky”
So let me get this right.
She had a horrible childhood and now her clothes are made by child labor?
Thanks for such a bad faith take! I explained her horrible upbringing, detailing that she had to be extremely resourceful to survive, even when needed to clothe herself to explain her style and inspiration. If you cared to listen, I stated a handful of times that I don’t support child labor/unethical/sustainably made clothing and if she charges so much, she could easily afford better business practices.
Nothing wrong with trying to offer a little tldr comment imo. She had a horrible childhood and now sells overpriced clothes made in questionable circumstances in a very impoverished country. That's the facts I heard here. Unrelated to style and inspo, that's just the tldr
she was just a year of being Gen X i think the fashion world really needs dealing with, so many designer ranges are made in factories in third world countries. Though Third world countries are now quickly taking over the first world countries. wont be long before that happen, south asia is booming. people will be craving to live and move to places like Bangkok to avoid proverty in the west,
Does anyone know if the birth date of Robin Brown is available anywhere? I’d love to see her astrology chart 😮
Ooof 👀 I’ve literally never heard of this brand but that makes sense since I’m poor 😂 I wouldn’t support them because their verbiage is disrespectful- like just use the word bohemian or hippie chic to describe the clothes. There isn’t a reason to use “beggar” or “homeless” or whatever to describe clothing. I think that’s offensive. Also, why can’t they do a collection with social justice leaders using multiple races/examples/images. Why does it have to only be American Indians/Native Americans?
I never heard of Magnolia Pearl until I saw it on TikTok. I like scrolling on Free People’s app and I noticed they carried Magnolia Pearl too! Not that I can afford Free People either. I just like looking and filling up a shopping cart I can’t pay for.
That’s what I was saying!! Like why only Indigenous leaders? I mean it’s nice that they donate money to charity but it just feels like an odd fixation. I feel like some white people get obsessed with Native culture. I know so many white people, including my own mother that will be like “My great, great, great, great grandmother was a Cherokee princess” 😂 BTW, I did a 23 and me. No Indigenous heritage was found so my mom stopped saying that.
That’s so funny my mom used to say that too 😂 I did the DNA test and I’m like 1% Canadian Indian so she was out here telling tall tales 🤥
They’re goofy for that
I struggle to see any issue with the brand or the designer
You had me until I realized its $400-$600 for a piece of clothing.
Definitely out of my budget! I think the most expensive piece of clothing I have is a cardigan that was handmade, ethically and sustainably in Australia. Cost even more because I had to ship it to the USA but was probably like $120???
This is ab emperor's new clothes situation. She's trolling rich people. If you buy these clothes, the creator (and everyone else) is laughing at you.
Uhhhhgggg this is my ex’s mom’s bestie’s brand. I cringe every time I see her stuff out. Edited to say….I cringe because I know the current lifestyle that circle lives. I know how the town is and how there’s “popular” circles. It’s all very boring if you’re jaded by the whole cool kid group concept
All of this 💩 is none of my business however; I am so disgusted by the UA-camr creators' ripping each other apart (metaphorically). All of you are in it for money or why do you have a channel. Now having said that SETH is the Father of a missing child for which he had nothing to do with the disappearance. I have an opinion on who has to know more but that isn't even the issue. The issue is if you are really concerned and want to sling dirt get off your bums and search. SETH just had surgery and before he had surgery I know what kind of pain he was in bc I have a pinched nerve in the same area. Now, I am so sorry that a woman regretted giving money. I would only give if I would never have second thoughts of giving to Seth. If I give I'm not going to look for a ledger of what he does with the money. That's not really giving. SETH is not able to search. Sebastian has been missing for months. Still I pray he is found safe but it has been so long. My advise.. Do Not respond to these vile, gossiping, people who need to get a life. The Bible says to pray for these people and that he will judge. The point is everyone should stop judging the parents because unless you have lost a child you have no idea what your behavior would be like. I have already stopped viewing a lot of other channels for these reasons 1) All they do is bash the parents of Sebastian and are really doing nothing to help locate Sebastian in whatever conditions he is in now. 2) They CONTINUALLY berate other UA-camrs and keep drama going. If I wanted a soap I would watch a NOVELLA (soap opera). 3) I have so much anxiety after watching their lives that it's not good for my mental and emotional health. 4) They PISS me off. 5) I CAN'T stand the sound of their voice. God bless Sebastian his loved ones who are feeling lost without him and the UA-camrs who should think before they open their mouth. God bless you Dolly and P.J. and all who are feeling the pain of those who have lost loved ones. Amen Stay safe
Yeah we boomers ARE sensitive. We were doing civil rights while your unsupervised parents were apparently drinking water from garden hoses. Also, did you say Columbus was fighting for freedom from England ironically and to be funny? I hope so. Otherwise your message is spot on perfect. However, let's be inclusive of old, batty people too, and not generalize us as ignorant, selfish users.
I really don’t like wearing anyone’s face on my body but I’ll buy native art and incorporate their spiritual practices. I’ve been drawn to it all since before I knew I was part iraquois. But I’m also drawn to Druidic practices due to my Scottish heritage. I mean faces are everywhere, all over the place, and we’re always trampling on them, hitting them with our cars, crumpling them up and throwing them away.
lol you're lucky your student loan payments are under $600 💀😭 unfortunately I can't say the same.
Luckily my mom forced me to do my first two years at community college!
@@angelycaviolet that's awesome! I'm in Canada and I chose to go to university rather than a college (a bit cheaper). I also did 5 years instead of 4 due to mental health and juggling working part time lol. Then I did a 1 year post-grad certificate at a college. So in total, 6 years of schooling and lots of debt as I didn't have any financial help/savings.
And in answer to your question…I think that the negative response to her work really comes from jealousy-they simply didn’t come up with it first. Sour grapes-pure and simple. And for heavens sake-why the heck can’t it be seen as an homage?
I think getting to know Robin’s backstory makes me understand the clothes a lot more. I used to be a hater but then I read articles about her and then listened to her book! I feel like I completely understand her and her clothes now. Her clothes are basically art! She uses clothing to express her emotions and life. Don’t judge a book by its cover!
I think the way the clothes are styled in photos is probably “too much” for people but I could see myself rocking a pair of the patchworked jeans with a plain t-shirt and some sandals. Quick, cute but fun outfit!