I saw this shirt the other day. It said, “Ghetto until fashionable.”  I laughed and kept pushing because that’s the story of my life.

You see, there’s a trend in the fashion industry [wait…[literally every industry} where certain styles and designs that have roots in urban, predominantly black and African communities are looked down upon and deemed “ghetto” or “not fashionable.” However, as soon as these same styles are picked up and popularized by mainstream media, they suddenly become “fashionable” and are seen in a new light.

It’s like, “abeg, we’ve been rocking this style for years and now that you’re doing it, it’s suddenly okay?” My culture is banging enough to be appreciated by all, but the moment you forget who did it first is the same moment you become a classic case of cultural appropriation.

It’s a bit of a bittersweet situation because, on one hand, it’s great to see our styles being recognized and appreciated on a larger scale. But on the other hand, it’s frustrating to see how quick people are to dismiss our fashions as “ghetto” until they become popularized.

It’s just a reminder that there’s still a long way to go when it comes to representation and appreciation of diverse cultures in the fashion industry. But in the meantime,  continue to rock your style with pride and show the world that fashion created on the streets of Lagos or Harlem is far from “ghetto” – it’s fly and here to stay.

And the next time you’re rocking that urban wear, remember the roots of where it comes from and the history behind it. And let’s keep pushing forward. Our fashion is worth more than just a trendy label.