5 Times Luxury Brands Like Prada Faced Criticism For Using Indian Designs Without Credit

Luxury fashion often draws inspiration from cultures worldwide, but the line between appreciation and appropriation is increasingly scrutinised. In recent years, several global brands have been accused of borrowing traditional Indian designs, ranging from footwear to dresses, without giving due 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

The globally renowned brand Ralph Lauren featured a skirt in its Spring/Summer 2026 collection. However, the skirt heavily resembled the traditional Rajasthani and Gujarati design, Bandhani. The skirt was priced at ₹44,800, and critics lashed out on social media, saying the brand has neither honoured South Asian culture nor appreciated the artisans who have practised this 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 resembles the Indian kurta. Priced at around ₹2.5 lakh, Indian users said that a similar garment is easily available in Indian local markets at a cheaper cost.

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Louis Vuitton's Auto-Rickshaw Bag

In 2025, Louis Vuitton, presently chaired by Bernard Arnault, unveiled a bag in the shape of a traditional Indian auto-rickshaw. While marketed as a creative tribute, many criticised the brand for turning a common Indian symbol into an overpriced luxury item without a deeper cultural context or acknowledgement.

Prada's Kolhapuri-style Sandals

In 2025, Prada was in the midst of a heavy controversy after the brand featured open-toe leather sandals in the menswear show in Milan. However, it instantly sparked debate after people noticed its striking similarity to Indian Kolhapuri chappals. Initially priced at approximately ₹1.2 lakh, the sandals were not given due acknowledgement despite having a Geographical Indication (GI) tag since 2019. However, from the pressure of trade bodies like MACCIA, Prada formally admitted that the sandals were inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear.

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Dior's Mukaish Embroidery 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 mukaish work (traditional embroidery technique from Lucknow) long coat, which was pointed out by critics. The coat priced over 1.5 crore did not acknowledge the Indian artisans involved, leading to accusations.

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