Russian photographer Murad Osmann and his wife Natalia Zakharova were in Singapore recently and they shot their iconic #FollowMeTo pose at Haw Par Villa:

#followmeto Haw Par Villa Singapore with @natalyosmann Nothing portrays the country more than its people, with their stories and culture. @visit_singapore to experience the culture and life of this wonderful city. Through your instagram, upload pictures depicting your dream experience in Singapore, say whom you want to invite and why this Singapore experience is meaningful to you and your loved ones. Submit the entry with hashtag #singaporeinvites and hashtag your country of residence ………………………………………………………………… ??P.s. received a lot of comments regarding the traditional kebaya. Guys - it was done on purpose to highlight the beautiful front. Otherwise how would we show it on the #followmeto photo :)??

A photo posted by Murad Osmann (@muradosmann) on Oct 27, 2015 at 9:35am PDT

The same photo was reposted on Singapore Tourism Board's YourSingpore Instagram:

Today's feature showcases the beautiful #FollowMeTo couple, @natalyosmann and @muradosmann in Haw Par Villa. ⠀⠀ ⠀ (Kebaya was worn backwards on purpose ?) ⠀⠀ ⠀ #YourSingapore

A photo posted by YourSingapore (@visit_singapore) on Oct 28, 2015 at 3:15am PDT

The only weird thing about the photo is that the traditional Peranakan nonya kebaya was worn backwards as the floral embroidered fabric should be in front — but it was on purpose, according to the YourSingapore post description.

Murad has also clarified on his Instagram post:

P.s. received a lot of comments regarding the traditional kebaya. Guys - it was done on purpose to highlight the beautiful front. Otherwise how would we show it on the #followmeto photo :)

As an example of a proper demonstration, this is usually how traditional Peranakan nonya kebayas are worn:

Regardless, while wearing a traditional costume wrongly is one thing, doing so on purpose is quite another feat altogether — and it is little wonder the photo has irked some commenters.

Here are five conspiracy theories on how it came to be:

1. It's just Singapore's way of being unique and trying to stand out all the time because all other countries can get their costume right.

2. They got the creative brief wrong.

3. It's Halloween anyways, and what better place to appear with your head 180 degrees the wrong way than Haw Par Villa?

4. International audiences won't be able to tell the difference.

5. The kebaya wasn't fitting enough to begin with and the god-awful slack at the back is never going to be Instagram-worthy (i.e. They clipped the back portion which now can't be seen, so it looks nice and snug.)

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