Louis Vuitton Faces Backlash Over Alleged Copying of Traditional Romanian Blouse

Luxury fashion brand Louis Vuitton has come under fire for allegedly copying a traditional Romanian blouse design in its 2024 'LV by the Pool' collection. The Romanian cultural association La Blouse Roumaine has accused the brand of using the blouse design from the Mărginimea Sibiului region without proper credit or permission.

The blouse in question, designed by Nicolas Ghesquière, is priced at over $5,000 and features a romantic silhouette with graphic details and lace inserts. La Blouse Roumaine has launched a 'Give Credit' campaign, urging Louis Vuitton to remove the pieces from their collection until they obtain permission from the communities involved and credit the original designers.

This matter highlights the ongoing issue of cultural appropriation in the fashion industry, where big brands often profit from traditional designs without giving due credit to their origins. If left unchecked, this practice can lead to the erasure of cultural heritage and financial losses for the communities involved.

The association is calling on the public to share photos of the traditional blouse on social media, along with descriptions of the region it comes from, to raise awareness about the issue. They are also seeking official messages of support from organizations, foundations, and companies to pressure Louis Vuitton to take action.

The controversy has sparked a heated debate online, with many accusing Louis Vuitton of cultural appropriation and disrespect towards the traditional Romanian blouse and its creators. One comment on La Blouse Roumaine's social media page read, 'If a Romanian designer had copied one of their products, it would be a huge scandal. But when it's the other way around, it's just called inspiration. Disappointing!'

This is not the first time a major brand has been accused of copying traditional Romanian clothing. In the past, Dior faced criticism for featuring a vest identical to a traditional Romanian vest from Bihor, priced at 30,000 euros, without crediting the original creators.

The Romanian Ministry of Culture, led by Raluca Turcan, plans to discuss the issue with representatives of Louis Vuitton. Turcan stated, 'I intend to engage in a dialogue with representatives of the company to recognize the cultural and patrimonial value of traditional Romanian pieces.' She emphasized that the Ministry of Culture's priority is to protect cultural identity and patrimonial elements.

Louis Vuitton has yet to provide a satisfactory response to the accusations. When asked about the inspiration behind the design, representatives gave a vague explanation, stating that Nicolas Ghesquière 'could have been inspired by different traditions.' This response has not satisfied many critics, who feel that the brand is not giving due credit to the traditional Romanian design.

Debate continues, La Blouse Roumaine remains steadfast in its campaign, calling on the public to support their cause by sharing images and demanding that Louis Vuitton recognize the cultural and patrimonial value of the traditional Romanian blouse. The controversy highlights the ongoing issue of cultural appropriation in the fashion industry and the need for greater respect and acknowledgment of traditional designs.

Key Takeaways

• Louis Vuitton accused of copying traditional Romanian blouse design without credit or permission.
• La Blouse Roumaine launches "Give Credit" campaign, urging LV to remove pieces and credit original designers.
• Controversy highlights ongoing issue of cultural appropriation in fashion industry.
• Romanian Ministry of Culture to discuss issue with LV representatives, prioritizing cultural identity protection.
• Louis Vuitton's vague response sparks criticism, failing to satisfy demands for proper credit.