You might know Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie from her novel Americanah, named one of “Ten Best Books of the Year” by The New York Times. Or you might have come across the Nigerian author’s TED Talk, “We Should All Be Feminists,” which was turned into this handy essay. I bought early-bird tickets for her event at the New Yorker festival both because Adichie’s been an inspiration for my writing, and because I knew she’d lay out her bare naked feminist opinions without hesitation.

My attention peaked when the topic turned to cultural appropriation. An African-American woman stepped up to the mic during the audience Q&A, asking Adichie for her thoughts on Stella McCartney’s latest fashion show. Apparently, the British designer had been accused of cultural appropriation on the runway in Paris for using traditional African Ankara prints on her models. Now, her company was standing by its assertion that the collection was a tribute -- not a co-optation.

Cultural appropriation has become a prominent issue in recent years, mostly because Miley Cyrus started wearing dreadlocks and twerking in 2013. Cyrus adopted what she considered the “fun” parts of black culture, while avoiding the racial stereotypes that accompany them. This led black artists like Nikki Minaj accused Cyrus of co-opting traditions she didn’t understand or respect. The (mostly white) people who came to her defense argued that Cyrus was only showing admiration.

Adichie’s audience member voiced similar sentiments about McCartney. “Everybody is offended, but I think the prints are beautiful,” she explained. “Of course everyone else wants to wear them, too!” She identified with Ankara prints and was excited that the world shared her sentiment. And so, she asked Adichie, what delineated between cultural celebration and appropriation?

After thinking for a few seconds, Adichie asked the room to picture the African woman who wore these prints everyday. Would that woman wonder, “Why aren’t I getting the same admiration and praise for my outfits as Stella McCartney? Why does the world only care when a big, international fashion designer puts these clothes on white models in Paris?” She might feel ripped off. Most fashion week attendees would know next to nothing about her daily customs, political struggles, and rich cultural traditions. Instead, they'd associate her Ankara “look” with a British fashion house.