Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw criticises Fendi’s ₹8.3 lakh Navratri-style bag

After the Prada Kolhapuri chappal scandal, another controversy has erupted over a luxury bag by Fendi. The Italian brand’s colourful Navratri-style bag, priced at ₹8.3 lakh, has drawn sharp criticism from Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, who said it undermines authentic Indian talent.

The bag, listed on Fendi’s website as “Baguette 26424: Multicolour Re Edition bag with embroidery and mirrors,” features a combination of textures and shades with 39,500 beads and 475 mirrors. It reportedly required over 138 hours of craftsmanship. Despite this, Mazumdar-Shaw said, “Indian craftsmanship deserves recognition, not imitation.”

She added that nobody would pay more than ₹500 for such a bag if the Fendi logo were not present. The pricing, she said, is far beyond the average Indian bag of the same design. The controversy highlights the ongoing debate about cultural appropriation and credit in the global fashion industry, especially as the bag is being promoted in preparation for Navratri this year.