Romanian rhapsody: Louis Vuitton accused of cultural theft
08 June 2024
Romania’s culture minister is calling foul play over Louis Vuitton's latest collection, with the government accusing the French fashion house of appropriating traditional Romanian blouse designs without proper recognition.
The controversy was sparked by the online community "La Blouse Roumaine", which claimed Vuitton's 2024 line featured unmistakable inspiration from Romania's embroidered heritage blouse, called "ie", also recognised as Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. The minister has demanded Vuitton acknowledge the origins, but the brand has yet to respond.
 | Raluca Besliu It's not the first cultural clash for Romania, which previously criticised Tory Burch for misrepresenting a traditional Romanian coat as being African-inspired. As debates around cultural appropriation intensify, this stand-off spotlights the challenges fashion labels face in an era of globalisation – balancing innovation with respect for the legacies stitched into the world's diverse traditions. All eyes are on Vuitton's next move. |
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