Luxury must lead the way in cultural appreciation

The fashion industry has had an ambiguous relationship with cultural appropriation for decades. However, a heightened awareness of the phenomenon is emerging, accelerated by the current era, where diversity and inclusion are under scrutiny. But what does the term actually mean? Broadly speaking, it refers to Western brands that use symbols, prints and clothing from other cultures without correctly crediting their source or respecting their meaning. Recent examples include Isabel Marant, which has been accused of commercially exploiting traditional Mexican indigenous designs in several collections, or Louis Vuitton's Palestinian-inspired scarf, which was removed from the website in 2021 after being criticized on social media. In most cases, the brand acknowledges its mistake and withdraws the garment with an apology, under pressure from social networks. This awareness can be an important lever for indigenous cultures, and encourage design that respects communities, rather than excluding them from the conversation. The designers celebrating craftsmanship in fashion