On November 7, 2012, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show became the center of a cultural reckoning. During the “Calendar Girls” segment, supermodel Karlie Kloss walked the runway wearing a Native American–inspired feathered war bonnet paired with fringe and turquoise jewelry.
On November 7, 2012, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show became the center of a cultural reckoning. During the “Calendar Girls” segment, supermodel Karlie Kloss walked the runway wearing a Native American–inspired feathered war bonnet paired with fringe and turquoise jewelry.
November 7, 2012
On November 7, 2012, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show became the center of a cultural reckoning. During the “Calendar Girls” segment, supermodel Karlie Kloss walked the runway wearing a Native American–inspired feathered war bonnet paired with fringe and turquoise jewelry.
What was intended as a stylized fashion fantasy quickly ignited widespread backlash, marking one of the most notable cultural appropriation incidents in modern runway history.
Critics immediately pointed out that the war bonnet is a sacred ceremonial object reserved for respected leaders within various Indigenous nations, not a costume, accessory, or entertainment piece. Viewers described the look as disrespectful and insensitive, highlighting the brand’s long-standing issues with representation and stereotyping. Social media surged with commentary, Indigenous communities voiced frustration, and advocacy groups called for accountability.
The reaction was so strong that 5 days later, on November 12, Victoria’s Secret took an unprecedented step: they completely removed the look from all broadcast footage. The moment originally filmed for the televised show was edited out entirely, making it invisible to global audiences. Only attendees in the New York venue ever saw Karlie Kloss’s full walk. In the days that followed, she issued a public apology stating she meant no disrespect and recognized the cultural impact of the decision.
The incident has since been revisited in discussions about fashion’s responsibility, prompting deeper dialogue around cultural sensitivity, heritage misrepresentation, and the consequences of turning sacred symbols into style. While the 2012 runway remains unseen on official channels, the controversy became a defining marker in industry history, a reminder that aesthetics cannot be separated from cultural context, and that fashion must evolve beyond spectacle into respect.
