Fendi's $10,000 Bag: India's Craft Ignored?

Luxury fashion house Fendi is currently facing accusations of cultural appropriation for its latest baguette bag. Launched online for approximately $10,000, the bag showcases 475 mirrors and extensive beadwork, designs strongly resembling those found in Gujarat, India, particularly during Navratri festivities.

Netizens and prominent figures have criticized Fendi for not acknowledging the Indian origin of the design, especially given the significant price difference compared to similar items available locally in India. This incident follows similar controversies involving brands like Prada and Ralph Lauren, highlighting a pattern of luxury houses drawing inspiration from non-Western crafts without proper attribution.

However, Fendi has a working relationship with the Chanakya workshop in Mumbai, a respected Indian artisan house that specializes in hand-embroidery. The bag was indeed handcrafted there by artisans paid for their work. Chanakya also runs a craft school for underprivileged women. Despite this partnership, Fendi's product description provides no cultural context or credit to the artisans or region that inspired the bag's aesthetic.