5 times luxury brands like Prada faced criticism for using Indian designs without credit
Luxury fashion often draws inspiration from cultures around the world, but the line between appreciation and appropriation is increasingly scrutinized. In recent years, many global brands have been accused of borrowing traditional Indian designs, from shoes to attire, without giving proper credit to their origins. These controversies have sparked outrage among artisans, designers and consumers, highlighting issues of cultural ownership, fair recognition and ethical fashion. Here are five times luxury brands have faced criticism for using Indian designs without credit.
Ralph Lauren’s Bandhani-Inspired Skirt
Globally renowned brand Ralph Lauren showcased a skirt in its Spring/Summer 2026 collection. However, the skirt closely resembled the traditional Rajasthani And Gujarati design, Bandhani. The skirt was priced at ₹44,800, and critics slammed it on social media, saying the brand neither respected South Asian culture nor appreciated the artisans who have practiced the craft for centuries.
Gucci’s Indian kurta rebranded as kaftan
Another luxury brand, Gucci, faced widespread backlash from Indian consumers for selling a floral-embroidered organic linen kaftan that resembled an Indian kurta. Priced at around ₹2.5 lakh, Indian users said that similar apparel is easily available in Indian local markets at a cheaper price.
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Louis Vuitton Auto-Rickshaw Bag
In 2025, Louis Vuitton, whose president is currently Bernard Arnault, unveiled a bag in the shape of a traditional Indian auto-rickshaw. While marketed as a creative tribute, many criticized the brand for turning a common Indian symbol into an overpriced luxury item without deep cultural context or acknowledgement.
Prada’s Kolhapuri-style sandals
In 2025, prada The brand was heavily controversial after it showed open-toed leather sandals at a menswear show in Milan. However, it immediately sparked debate when people noticed its striking similarity to the Indian Kolhapuri slippers. Initially priced at around ₹1.2 lakh, the sandals were not given proper approval despite having a Geographical Indication (GI) tag since 2019. However, under pressure from trade bodies such as MACCIA, Prada formally acknowledged that the sandals were inspired by traditional Indian handmade shoes.
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dior mukash embroidered coat
Dior has also faced criticism for incorporating Indian embroidery and craftsmanship into its collections. During its show at the Paris Fashion Show, it featured a long coat with Mukash work (a traditional embroidery technique from Lucknow), which was objected to by critics. The names of the Indian artisans involved in this coat, which was worth more than Rs 1.5 crore, were not taken, which led to allegations.
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