“Sexy Little Geisha” from Victoria's Secret lingerie

       There’s a long-standing trend to represent Asian women as hypersexualized objects of fantasy. Check out Victoria’s Secret’s removed line of "Go East" lingerie named “touches of eastern delight.” The reason why they were removed from the website is that“Sexy Little Geisha” was labeled racist by offended critics.

       The 'Eastern-inspired' cut-out sheer mesh teddy, which comes with a matching removable obi belt, fan and chopsticks, was described as “your ticket to an exotic adventure”(TheBrabbleRabble). I find it interesting that not a single Asian model was used for this so called “GO EAST” line (even though they do use Asian model for other lines). I mean, if I put a pair of chopsticks and a fan next to a sandwich, that doesn't make it Asian dish. The lack of Asian women representative here imply that it can only feel sexy and exotic if the lingerie on a white model’s body.
       Another blogger, on a site called Angry Asian Man, posted a photo of the Sexy Little Geisha and commented: 'Hooray for exotic orientalist bullshit.'
       TheFrisky.com added: "Considering the complicated history of geishas, repurposing the [geisha] 'look' for a major corporation to sell as role-playing lingerie seems a bit tasteless." 
       Generally, when people hear the word “Geisha”, they tend to associate it with prostitution. The truth is, Geisha are highly trained, skilled, accomplished entertainers. Their job has nothing to do with sex. Some of the first Geisha were actually male. Unfortunately, prostitutes who pleasured American servicemen after World War II called themselves “geisha girls”, which has created this stereotype.    
       However, just because these are undergarments, it still are racist and insulting to Asian women. It is not fun for Asian women to be modified, sexualized, and misrepresented in the western culture. This particular kind of racism has existed for a long time, and looks like we are still holding on to it.