Dior Accused of Romanian Bihor Cultural Appropriation

Dior faced accusations of cultural appropriation after its pre-fall collection featured designs that closely resembled a traditional Romanian vest known as the Bihor coat. The fashion house used similar colors and patterns without acknowledging the cultural significance or the origins of the design. This lack of credit sparked outrage among the Romanian community, who felt that their cultural heritage was being exploited for commercial gain. In response to this incident, Romanian fashion magazine Beau Monde initiated a campaign to promote authentic Romanian fashion. They collaborated with local craftsmen and designers from Bihor to create a new line that celebrated traditional designs. The campaign emphasized the importance of supporting local artisans and preserving cultural heritage, with the magazine cover urging consumers to 'Don't let traditions go out of stock.' This initiative led to the establishment of Bihor Couture, an online platform dedicated to selling original artisan-made versions of the Bihor coat. Bihor Couture also publicly criticized Dior for what they termed 'theft' of cultural designs, highlighting the need for respect and recognition in the fashion industry.