When Kim Kardashian decided to wear her hair styled in Fulani braids to the MTV Movie and TV awards last month, she was immediately called out on social media for cultural appropriation.

It’s not the first time she’s received backlash for wearing cornrows; in January, she captioned a picture of herself with her braided platinum hair “BO WEST”, referring to Caucasian actress Bo Derek – with no nod to African culture where the style originated.

Speaking about it on a panel at BeautyCon LA this week, Kardashian said: “I’ve definitely had my fair share of backlash when I’ve worn braids," before attempting to explain her inspiration. "I’ve been fortunate to be able to travel around the world and see so many different cultures that have so many different beauty trends.”

She then noted that the decision to wear her hair that way was influenced by her five-year-old daughter, North West.

“My daughter actually loves braids, like this last time I wore [them], she helps me pick out a look and will show me pictures. I just think if it comes from a place of love and you’re using it as cultural inspiration, then I think it is okay. Sometimes I think maybe if you don’t communicate where you got the inspiration from — and I’ve done that in the past — then people might not understand it. But yeah, I think as long as it comes from a place of love and you’re getting inspired, then it is okay.”

Kardashian’s sister Kylie Jenner has come under similar criticism in the past for appropriating black culture. Back in 2015 she sparked a racial debate with The Hunger Games actress Amandla Stenberg who criticised Jenner for mimicking "black features".

The actress, whose YouTube video 'Don't Cash Crop On My Cornrow' explains the problems with wearing the hairstyle, responded to Jenner’s decision by commenting:

"When u appropriate black features and culture but fail to use ur position of power to help black Americans by directing attention towards ur wigs instead of police brutality or racism #whitegirlsdoitbetter".

With Kardashian’s conclusion that “it is okay”, the controversy continues.