Italian style home Gucci is promoting a dress that bears a striking resemblance to the classic Indian kurta, and desi Twitter customers have a lot to say about it. The “organic linen kaftan” with floral embroidery retails for $3,500 on luxury brand’s web-site – that is a whopping Rs 2.5 lakh, roughly. The linen kaftan, made in Italy, features floral embroidery and a neck opening with a self-tie tassle. Customers have the selection of paying in month-to-month installments to invest in it.
Going by the reactions on Twitter, Indians are not pleased – neither about the cultural appropriation and nor about the cost tag, which some have claimed is also higher even for a world-popular luxury style home, when equivalent outfits can be purchased for a fraction of the cost.
“Gucci selling an Indian kurta for 2.5 lakhs ? I’ll get the same thing for 500 bucks,” wrote one Twitter user, sharing two images of the ivory-coloured kaftan.
Gucci promoting an Indian kurta for 2.5 lakhs ? I’ll get the similar factor for 500 bucks 💀 pic.twitter.com/Opw2mO5xnV
— nalayak (@samisjobless) June 1, 2021
Many jumped in to say they would not even invest a modest quantity on outfits resembling the kaftan.
500? I can get this at neighborhood Vishal Mart for one hundred wtf 😭😭😭
— Yochan 🏳️🌈 (@rasmalaichan) June 2, 2021
No offense but I will not invest in it for even 500 😭
— Ms.Sunlight ✨ (@Aditiitweets) June 1, 2021
“Who is shelling out that kind of money for a kurta?” yet another Twitter user wondered.
Gucci be promoting this kurta for C$ 4,550 and I am like …. Who is shelling out that sort of $$$ for a kurta that ammi purchased me from Murree’s Mall Road for 300 rupees. pic.twitter.com/gxlBHxwpxC
— T a z e e n (@tazeen) June 2, 2021
Some mentioned they could uncover equivalent kurtas at neighborhood retailers.
Gucci sweetie I will invest in you this precise similar kurta from Sarojini industry in much less than $5. https://t.co/jN7jbmFadi
— Akanksha Bhatt ☕ (@akankshabhatt3) June 2, 2021
Gucci kurta for $3500?! I can have Ashokbhai make this back home for 500 rupees 😂 pic.twitter.com/eq3fHIZMjn
— છે (@GujuMemes) June 2, 2021
gucci scamming white ppl and charging $3.5k for a kurta when you can get one that appears substantially substantially much better from india or any indian clothes shop for like $50 max pic.twitter.com/8UcG22wiZb
— 🌸ᴴ (@pinkrrymoon) June 2, 2021
This is not the initial time that Gucci has come beneath fire for cultural appropriation. In 2018, Gucci sent models down the runway in a range of headwear – from elaborate headdresses to hijabs and turbans. Their use of turbans for a style show was heavily criticised, with Twitter customers pointing out that turbans are an vital component of the Sikh religion and ought to as a result not have been utilised as style accessories.