Fendi's $10,000 'Navratri' Bag Sparks Row; Harsh Goenka, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw Cry Appropriation
Fendi's $10,000 Baguette bag, covered in mirrors, beads and embroidery, has sparked cultural appropriation claims in India. Harsh Goenka and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw say it copies Gujarati craft without credit. But the embroidery was made by Mumbai's Chanakya artisans, whom Fendi credited in an April video.
The row exposes how Indian handwork sits inside global luxury. The embroidery is done in India by Chanakya, while leatherwork and final assembly happen in Italy, yet the "Made in Italy" story captures the value. Critics argue that if Indian craft is central to the product, Fendi should tell that story far more visibly. Goenka contrasted the ₹8.3 lakh price with similar ₹500 bags sold on Gujarat's streets.
Some users are calling for litigation against designer brands over unoriginal designs, while others ask why Indian makers haven't built a major brand around similar products. Expect pressure on Fendi to add visible artisan credit on its product page, and more scrutiny of luxury collections drawing on Indian craft.
17th century: Mirrorwork (shishadar) emerges in the region spanning western India, Pakistan and Afghanistan
1997: Fendi launches the original Baguette, since revived for Fall/Winter 2026-27
June 2025: Prada faces backlash over Kolhapuri-style sandals at its Milan show
Apr 19, 2026: Fendi video credits Chanakya artisans for the craftwork
Sept 2026: Goenka's "Navratri bag" post goes viral; Mazumdar-Shaw calls it cultural appropriation
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