Italian luxury house Fendi has found itself at the centre of a heated debate in India over its latest handbag priced at nearly Rs 8.3 lakh to Rs 9 lakh (around $10,000). This comes at a time when several international luxury brands have been accused of taking inspiration from Indian craftsmanship without giving it credit.
The bag, covered in vibrant multicolour embroidery, mirror work and beads, looks strikingly similar to the traditional Banjara bags sold for Rs 500 during Navratri in Gujarat and Rajasthan.

How did the controversy around the Fendi bag begin?

The controversy erupted on social media after RPG Group Chairman Harsh Goenka and Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw accused the brand of not giving credit to Indian artisans. But is it really cultural appropriation like the Prada Kolhapuri chappal row, or is there more to the story?

What is the Fendi ‘Navratri’ Bag?

The bag in question is officially listed by Fendi as the ‘Multicolour Re-Edition Bag with embroidery and mirrors’ or ‘Baguette 26424’. According to the website, it debuted in 1997 and has been re-imagined for the Fall/Winter 2026-27 collection, drawing on its original version, number 26424.
It has been embroidered by hand in a refined combination of textures and shades with 39,500 beads and 475 mirrors, with over 138 hours of craftsmanship. Not just embroidery, the bag has a shoulder strap in dark brown calfskin. It has been made in Italy.
The luxury house never called it a ‘Navratri Bag’. That name was given by social media users.

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Why The Outrage?

The backlash started after Harsh Goenka posted a picture of the bag with the caption: “After the Prada Kolhapuri chappal scandal, here comes the Fendi ‘Navratri’ bag. Charging Rs 8.3 Lakhs for a design that looks exactly like a Rs 500 bag available in the streets of Gujarat. And zero credit to Indian artisans. When will luxury brands stop colonising our crafts?”
 
Reacting to it, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw wrote, “This is a case of cultural appropriation & not in good taste. Repackaging India’s traditional craft as luxury, without credit to the artisans who created and preserved it, undermines our authentic talent and heritage. Indian craftsmanship deserves recognition, not imitation."
Many users pointed out similarities with Prada’s earlier controversy, where the brand sold Kolhapuri chappals without initially crediting Maharashtra artisans, and later added the cultural context to its website.

Did Fendi Give Credit To Indian Artisans?

Here is what most viral posts missed. Fendi did not hide the India connection.
In April 2026, Fendi posted a video on its official handles captioned, “When craftsmanship becomes design. Discover how sequins, beads, and mirrors are transformed into unique works of art through the skilled hands of Chanakya artisans.”
For the unversed, Chanakya is a Mumbai-based atelier, one of India’s most respected embroidery houses. For decades, it has worked with luxury giants like Dior, Prada and Fendi. It also runs the Chanakya School of Craft, which trains young women from low-income backgrounds in traditional Indian embroidery like mirror-work, zardozi and beadwork.
So unlike a straight lift-off, this bag was actually hand-made in Mumbai by Indian karigars, as part of a long-term, paid partnership.

Is It Appropriation Or Collaboration?

Social media users pointed out that even if Indian artisans made it, selling a Rs 500 Gujarati design for Rs 9 lakh without enough visibility to the craft community is exploitation. The price gap and the lack of co-branding are the problem.
Meanwhile, others argued that this is exactly what ethical luxury should look like, where a global brand invests in Indian ateliers, pays artisans for skilled handwork, and gives them a global platform. Collaboration is getting it made in India and crediting Chanakya.
As of now, Fendi has credited the Chanakya artisans in its video, but the product page does not prominently mention Indian craftsmanship.

Conclusion:

The Fendi ‘Navratri’ bag row shows how sensitive the line between appreciation and appropriation has become. With Prada’s Kolhapuri episode still fresh, Indian consumers are quick to call out luxury brands.
The bag does have Indian roots, Indian hands, and Indian hours behind it. The question now is not just who made it, but who gets the credit and the profit. If luxury houses want to charge luxury prices for Indian craft, they will have to give luxury-level credit too.
 
(Image Credits: Fendi Website)
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