Italian fashion house Gucci is selling a dress that bears a striking resemblance to the traditional Indian kurta, and desi Twitter users have a lot to say about it. The "organic linen kaftan" with floral embroidery retails for $3,500 on luxury brand's website - that's a whopping Rs 2.5 lakh, approximately. The linen kaftan, made in Italy, features floral embroidery and a neck opening with a self-tie tassle. Customers have the option of paying in monthly installments to buy it.
Going by the reactions on Twitter, Indians are not happy - neither about the cultural appropriation and nor about the price tag, which some have claimed is too high even for a world-famous luxury fashion house, when similar outfits can be bought for a fraction of the price.
"Gucci selling an Indian kurta for 2.5 lakhs ? I'll get the same thing for 500 bucks," wrote one Twitter user, sharing two photos of the ivory-coloured kaftan.
Gucci selling an Indian kurta for 2.5 lakhs ? I'll get the same thing for 500 bucks 💀 pic.twitter.com/Opw2mO5xnV
— nalayak (@samisjobless) June 1, 2021
Many jumped in to say they wouldn't even spend a small amount on outfits resembling the kaftan.
500? I can get this at local Vishal Mart for 100 wtf 😭😭😭
— Yochan 🏳️🌈 (@rasmalaichan) June 2, 2021
No offense but I won't buy it for even 500 😭
— Ms.Sunlight ✨ (@Aditiitweets) June 1, 2021
"Who is shelling out that kind of money for a kurta?" another Twitter user wondered.
Gucci be selling this kurta for C$ 4,550 and I am like …. Who is shelling out that kind of $$$ for a kurta that ammi bought me from Murree's Mall Road for 300 rupees. pic.twitter.com/gxlBHxwpxC
— T a z e e n (@tazeen) June 2, 2021
Some said they could find similar kurtas at local retailers.
Gucci sweetie I will buy you this exact same kurta from Sarojini market in 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 looks much much better from india or any indian clothing shop for like $50 max pic.twitter.com/8UcG22wiZb
— 🌸ᴴ (@pinkrrymoon) June 2, 2021
This is not the first time that Gucci has come under fire for cultural appropriation. In 2018, Gucci sent models down the runway in a variety of headwear - from elaborate headdresses to hijabs and turbans. Their use of turbans for a fashion show was heavily criticised, with Twitter users pointing out that turbans are an important part of the Sikh religion and should therefore not have been used as fashion accessories.
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