Kim Kardashian and her daughter, North West, 9, were in the spotlight at the Jean Paul Gaultier show during Paris Haute Couture Week.
Not only were they sitting in the front row beside Anna Wintour, the global editorial director of Vogue, but they also accessorised their pattern-co-ordinated outfits with matching silver nose ring chains worn around the left nostril.
Kardashian wore hers conjoined with a metal choker, while North West had hers attached to an earring.
This is not the first time North West has worn a nose ring. In 2019, the then-six-year-old rocked up to her great-grandmother MJ Campbell’s 85th birthday wearing a clip-on hoop on her nose.
While the mother-daughter duo were likely making a style statement, wearing a nose ring has cultural connotations in many parts of the world, most notably India, where a nose ring attached to a chain is called a nath.
Significance of nose rings in India
Nose rings have a dual significance in India. The ancient Sanskrit text on medicine and surgery, Sushruta Samhita, suggests piercing the nose can have myriad health benefits for women. Chief among them is improved fertility and relief from menstrual pain, especially if the piercing is done at the correct marma pressure point on the left nostril.
The nerves from this side of the nose are said to be directly connected to female reproductive organs, and to not only affect fertility but also help in easing childbirth.
Over time, the excerpt in the Ayurvedic text was adopted by Indian families with daughters of a marriageable age. Girls often had their noses pierced when they hit puberty to suggest they were ready for marriage, and it became customary for brides — especially from Hindu families — to wear a nath on their wedding day. The more elaborate the jewel (think gold links studded with precious gemstones), the more prosperous a family was thought to be.
Tradition also dictates that a woman will give up her nose ring upon the death of her husband.
While many in India choose not to pierce their noses at all in present times, it is still common for modern-day women to clip on a nose ring chain as part of their bridal finery.
Somewhat paradoxically, nose rings have also come to symbolise free-spirited and even rebellious young women, who choose to have their noses pierced to look bold and exercise their freedom of choice (akin to tattoos).
This could be attributed to the hippie movement of the 1960s and 1970s, when international devotees thronged to the ashrams of India in search of spiritual enlightenment. Their attire? Free-flowing robes, bare feet or open sandals, bindis on the forehead (another traditional symbol of a married woman) and simple metal hoop nose rings.
A brief history of nose rings
While pop culture may show women from India regularly sporting nose rings and naths, the accessory is thought to have its roots in ancient Australia and Africa. The Aboriginal people and several African tribes were piercing their noses as far back as 44,000 BC — and adorning them with animal bones, shells and large metal hoops.
The nose ring is also referred to in the Bible, in The Book of Genesis, when Abraham gives his future daughter-in-law a gold nose ring before she marries Issac.
The nose ring has also been common in various countries in the Middle East, especially Morocco, and other nations that are part of the Indian subcontinent.
Cultural appropriation vs appreciation
Kardashian has often been called out for indulging in cultural appropriation — from her Om earrings and maang tikka headpiece (both originating in India), to her Kimono shapewear line and rendition of the Maori haka ceremonial dance on TikTok.
Christian Allaire, author of Power of Style: How Fashion and Beauty are Being Used to Reclaim Cultures, defines the term in his book: "Cultural appropriation is when members of one culture adopt elements of another culture without their consent. This happens often in the fashion world: indigenous design motifs have been long copied or replicated by non-indigenous fashion brands, who often misuse traditional elements or ignore a piece's original purpose."
This contrasts with cultural appreciation. Allaire describes this as buying pieces from indigenous artists or as brands collaborating with artists from these communities instead of touting the craftsmanship as their own. Arguably, cultural appreciation can also be practised by lay fashionistas who are simply acknowledging the aesthetic appeal of a particular accessory.
After all, not every Indian (or Berber or Aboriginal or African) woman pierces her nose, sacred text or no sacred text. Bollywood often puts its characters in nose rings, from brides to brothel keepers (think Alia Bhatt in Gangubai Kathiawadi). And young women are going against their family’s strong views against piercing and wearing nose rings, literally, left, right and centre. Is it so harmful if a Kardashian does the same?
See Kim Kardashian's style evolution — in pictures
-
Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian, in traditional dirndl dresses, attend Oktoberfest on September 25, 2006 in Munich, Germany. Getty Images -
Kim Kardashian, in a silver mini dress, arrives at the MTV Australia Awards at the Australian Technology Park on April 26, 2008 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images -
Khloe and Kim Kardashian, in a scarf and jeans, attend a press conference at the Museum of Contemporary Art on April 29, 2008 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images -
Kim Kardashian, in a black bead-encrusted dress, attends the launch of the new Jimmy Choo boutique at Castlereagh Street on April 30, 2008 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images -
Kim Kardashian, in a fishtail gown, attends the Golden Nymph awards at Grimaldi Forum on June 12, 2008 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Getty Images -
Kim Kardashian, in a LBD, arrives at the Grimaldi Forum during the Monte Carlo Television Festival on June 9, 2009 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Getty Images -
Kim Kardashian, in a strapless mini, and Kris Kardashian at the Monte Carlo Television Festival on June 10, 2009 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Getty Images -
Kim Kardashian, in a sequinned gown, arrives at the closing ceremony of the Monte Carlo Television Festival on June 11, 2009 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Getty Images -
Kim Kardashian, in a leather jacket and striped dress, makes an in-store appearance at Optus on April 19, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images -
Kim Kardashian, in a monochrome gown, and Greta Van Susteren arrive at the MSNBC afterparty following the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on May 1, 2010 in Washington, DC. Getty Images -
Kim Kardashian, in a ruffled mini and blazer, leaves the Ritz hotel on September 15, 2010 in Paris, France. Getty Images -
Kim Kardashian, in a white halterneck, and Kris Humphries arrive at the Amber Lounge Fashion Monaco show on May 27, 2011 in Monaco. Getty Images -
Kim Kardashian, in a strapless evening gown, attends Glamour Women of the Year Awards on June 7, 2011 in London, England. Getty Images -
Kim Kardashian, in Gucci, poses during her fragrance launch at Debenhams on June 8, 2011 in London, England. Getty Images -
Kim Kardashian, in a fur stole, attends the Kanye West show as part of Paris Fashion Week at Halle Freyssinet on March 6, 2012 in Paris, France. Getty Images -
Kim Kardashian, in Emilio Pucci, launches her fragrance at the Rose Club on May 18, 2012 in London, UK. Getty Images -
Kim Kardashian, in Elie Saab, arrives at amfAR's Cinema Against Aids gala during the 65th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 24, 2012 in Cap D'Antibes, France. Getty Images -
Kim Kardashian, in Stephane Rolland, attends the MTV EMAs at Festhalle Frankfurt on November 11, 2012 in Frankfurt, Germany. Getty Images -
Kim Kardashian, in Givenchy, and Kanye West attend the Givenchy show as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 3, 2013 in Paris, France. Getty Images -
Kim Kardashian, in Givenchy, and Kanye West attend the Met Gala in New York on May 6, 2013. EPA -
Kim Kardashian, in Givenchy, and Kanye West attend the Givenchy show as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 29, 2013 in Paris, France. Getty Images -
Kim Kardashian, in Stephane Rolland, attends the Stephane Rolland show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute on January 21, 2014 in Paris, France. Getty Images -
Kim Kardashian, in Lanvin, arrives for the Met Gala in New York on May 5, 2014. EPA -
Kim Kardashian, in Valentino, attends the Valentino show as part of Paris Fashion Week on July 9, 2014 in Paris, France. Getty Images -
Kim Kardashian, in Ralph & Russo, attends the GQ Men of the Year awards at The Royal Opera House on September 2, 2014 in London, England. Getty Images -
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, in Lanvin, attend the Lanvin show as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 5, 2015 in Paris, France. Getty Images -
Kim Kardashian, in Jean Paul Gaultier, arrives for the 57th annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California, on February 8, 2015. EPA -
Kim Kardashian, in a draped midi dress, at Marionnaud Champs Elysees on April 15, 2015 in Paris, France. Getty Images -
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, in Sophie Theallet, arrive at the Time 100 Gala in New York on April 21, 2015. EPA -
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, in Balmain, arrive at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, California, on August 30, 2015. EPA -
Kim Kardashian, in Balmain, arrives at the Met Gala in New York on May 2, 2016. EPA -
Kim Kardashian, in Lan Yu Couture, attends the De Grisogono Party at the annual 69th Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2016 in Cap d'Antibes, France. Getty Images -
Kim Kardashian, in Galliano, and Kayne West arrive at the MTV Video Music Awards at Madison Square Garden in New York on August 28, 2016. EPA -
Kim Kardashian, in Givenchy, attends a Buro 24/7 party as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 30, 2016 in Paris, France. Getty Images -
Kim Kardashian, in Tom Ford, arrives at the Lacma Art + Film Gala at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in Los Angeles, California, on November 4, 2017. EPA -
Kim Kardashian, in Vivienne Westwood, arrives at the Met Gala in New York on May 1, 2017. EPA -
Kim Kardashian, in Versace, arrives at the Met Gala in New York on May 7, 2018. EPA -
Kim Kardashian, in Versace, arrives at the MTV Movie and TV Awards at the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, California, on June 16, 2018. EPA -
Kim Kardashian, in Louis Vuitton, attends the Louis Vuitton show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 21, 2018 in Paris, France. Getty Images -
Kim Kardashian, in Gucci, arrives at the Lacma Art + Film Gala at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in Los Angeles, California, on November 3, 2018. EPA -
Kim Kardashian, in Thierry Mugler, arrives at the Met Gala in New York on May 6, 2019. EPA -
Kim Kardashian, in Versace, arrives at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, California, on September 14, 2019. EPA -
Kim Kardashian, in Versace, arrives at the People's Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, on November 10, 2019. EPA -
Kim Kardashian, in Alexander McQueen, and Kanye West attend the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, California, on February 9, 2020. EPA -
Kim Kardashian wears Marilyn Monroe's dress for the 2022 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2022, in New York. AFP
