Your Say: Cheeky French steal moko

CHIC STYLE: Maori moko are being used to promote Jean Paul Gaultier fashion in France.

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Stuff readers have their say on fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier's use of the moko in his latest campaign.

RE:Cheeky French steal moko

Jean Paul Gautier will get what is coming. He has got the absolute cheek, you don't see Kiwis walking around with berets and snails on them at our fashion shows. What an insult.
Faith Papuni

Yes, I think it is offensive, the stupid French should use their own cultural symbols, if they had any culture.
Dustin King

Of course it's not offensive, it's pastiche, a game. Get over it and accept we have something the world thinks is cool - at the moment. It's no more offensive than Maori (or anyone who is not Celtic) using a celtic inscription.
Rhys

I think it's just great what Gaultier has done. Looks really good and an advance on the current stuff. It's time people stopped trying to set these designs in concrete. Grow change and develop I say.
Kerry Hand

I find Gaultier's use of the moko offensive, I find it both racist and damaging. It is not the use of the moko in its self that I find offensive, but the assumed right to use part of another culture for ones personal gain is. The moko is significant in its native cultural context, by using the moko in the ways mentioned in your article it has been stripped of its significance and any meaning it may have. I find it even more offencive that certain groups have picked a cannibal theme. Gaultier's use of the moko is a perfect example of cultural racism.
Owen

The most offensive thing about Gaultier's use of Maori moko in conjunction with his fashion line is that he did not ask the permission of an elder or an Iwi comittee to use the moko. If people are going to use our stuff they should at least ask if they can use it and how to use it, if "Vogue" were smart they'd make a competition out of it in New Zealand. Anyway the thing that hurts the most about this 'display' of Maori art is that it's not approved Maori art.
H Hohaia

The message may be that Maori culture is 'exotic and beautiful', but the way it's being portrayed in their images and on their models conflicts with basic Maori tikanga and values surrounding women and ta moko itself. I would be more at ease with this if some greater background homework had been done on their part. Even if this were to be as basic as asking a few questions, or even better if they culd have consulted someone. In doing so they could have avoided takahi on the mana of ta moko and Maori tikanga.
Marsh L

The moko is a treasure and honour to recieve. This is so special only chiefs and dignitries were given it. There is no honour in using our moko as public advertising, espically if there is no respect for Maori culture.
Ra Solomon