We’re glad you’ve asked. Because this is personal. Not only are our products rooted in the West African experience that defines us- and made from fabric that traces its origin to Indonesia- they are also rooted in our unique and complex experiences as first and second generation Americans.

Do you have to share that heritage or experience to wear DIOP?

No. And that would miss the point.

DIOP is about inclusion. We design apparel for anyone who believes fitting out is better than fitting in. That means making it accessible to everyone who appreciate our perspective. Which is why we hope that whatever your story may be, when you wear DIOP, you wear that story on your sleeve and learn more about ours, as well as those of the people you meet every day.  

Cultural appropriation is defined as the use or mimicry of artifacts or manners from another culture without acknowledgment, citation or permission. The manifestation of this phenomenon can take many forms — like borrowing customs, style or slang — and create confusion.

It has much more to do with the power dynamics that may be at play, than simply wearing clothing that is from another culture. That's why you'll often hear that "people from Africa" or "people from China" are happy to see someone in the USA representing their culture, while the sentiment towards that same event was much different within the USA itself. Context is always important.

Having witnessed our respective cultures being appropriated time and time again, we want to add to the conversation and make ourselves clear.

The problem is not that non-native people want to partake in cultures that aren’t their own. The problem is doing so without any consideration or acknowledgment of the meaning these customs have to the people and cultures to whom they belong.

That’s when cultural appropriation becomes a form of colonialism — itself a system of oppression — and a violation of the collective intellectual property rights of the originating, notably indigenous, minority cultures, and those living under colonial rule.

Context.

The short answer is no. We’re building DIOP on a foundation of love and respect that gets stronger with each product we produce and every connection we make. Whether through education or simply conversation about the history and legacy of the Black Diaspora — from Colonialism to Pan-Africanism to Afro-Modernism — we’re at once celebrating a point of view and creating space for those who might share in or want to learn about it.

Wearing DIOP does not make you a cultural appropriator — but it is important to gather an understanding of the culture and history behind it. If you have a few minutes and an open mind, we’ll give you the tools you need to educate yourself and articulate DIOP to others. From there, it's on you to start or engage in those conversations.

1. Ask them to explain why they feel that way and listen closely when they do.
2. Explain the brand, who's behind it and what it means to you.
3. Have them visit this page.
4. Have them email us. Seriously, m.diop@weardiop.com.

This is a conversation that has long preceded us and will continue long after, so please feel free to reach out with your concerns, insights and, of course, curiosity.

We’re glad you’ve asked. Because this is personal. Not only are our products rooted in the West African experience that defines us- and made from fabric that traces its origin to Indonesia- they are also rooted in our unique and complex experiences as first and second generation Americans.

Do you have to share that heritage or experience to wear DIOP?

No. And that would miss the point.

DIOP is about inclusion. We design apparel for anyone who believes fitting out is better than fitting in. That means making it accessible to everyone who appreciate our perspective. Which is why we hope that whatever your story may be, when you wear DIOP, you wear that story on your sleeve and learn more about ours, as well as those of the people you meet every day.  

Cultural appropriation is defined as the use or mimicry of artifacts or manners from another culture without acknowledgment, citation or permission. The manifestation of this phenomenon can take many forms — like borrowing customs, style or slang — and create confusion.

It has much more to do with the power dynamics that may be at play, than simply wearing clothing that is from another culture. That's why you'll often hear that "people from Africa" or "people from China" are happy to see someone in the USA representing their culture, while the sentiment towards that same event was much different within the USA itself. Context is always important.

Having witnessed our respective cultures being appropriated time and time again, we want to add to the conversation and make ourselves clear.

The problem is not that non-native people want to partake in cultures that aren’t their own. The problem is doing so without any consideration or acknowledgment of the meaning these customs have to the people and cultures to whom they belong.

That’s when cultural appropriation becomes a form of colonialism — itself a system of oppression — and a violation of the collective intellectual property rights of the originating, notably indigenous, minority cultures, and those living under colonial rule.

Context.

The short answer is no. We’re building DIOP on a foundation of love and respect that gets stronger with each product we produce and every connection we make. Whether through education or simply conversation about the history and legacy of the Black Diaspora — from Colonialism to Pan-Africanism to Afro-Modernism — we’re at once celebrating a point of view and creating space for those who might share in or want to learn about it.

Wearing DIOP does not make you a cultural appropriator — but it is important to gather an understanding of the culture and history behind it. If you have a few minutes and an open mind, we’ll give you the tools you need to educate yourself and articulate DIOP to others. From there, it's on you to start or engage in those conversations.

1. Ask them to explain why they feel that way and listen closely when they do.
2. Explain the brand, who's behind it and what it means to you.
3. Have them visit this page.
4. Have them call us. Seriously, here's our number: (313) 338-9898.

This is a conversation that has long preceded us and will continue long after, so please feel free to reach out with your concerns, insights and, of course, curiosity.

- Mapate Diop and Evan Fried, Co-Founders of DIOP