Paris Fashion Week Sparks Outrage in Algeria Over Alleged Cultural Appropriation
Major fashion houses, including Chanel and Giambattista Valli, face backlash for using traditional Algerian designs without acknowledging their origins.
Watan-Paris Fashion Week sparked widespread controversy in Algeria after renowned fashion houses presented designs that were clearly inspired by traditional Algerian attire without any acknowledgment of their cultural origins.
One of the most controversial showcases that angered Algerians was a design by Chanel, which featured a dress inspired by the Chanel and Giambattista Valli,” a traditional outfit from the High Plateaus region, particularly Djelfa Province.
The accusations were not limited to Chanel; they also extended to the famous Italian designer Giambattista Valli, who presented three designs that bore a striking resemblance to the “Haïk,” “Karako,” and “Sarwal Mdawar”—traditional Algerian garments originating from Algiers and other parts of the country.
This led many to accuse French and European designers of exploiting Algerian heritage and repackaging it without acknowledging its true roots, further fueling attempts to erase Algerian cultural identity in favor of global fashion trends.
Algerians on social media did not hide their anger, arguing that this was not merely a case of inspiration or reinterpretation of traditions but rather a systematic act of cultural appropriation that seeks to attribute elements of Algerian heritage to French culture.
This is not the first time such an incident has occurred. French fashion houses have previously faced similar accusations of appropriating Algerian designs, such as the Algerian Caftan, the Oran Blouse, and the Haïk, presenting them as part of French heritage or as new innovations in the fashion industry.
The controversy was not exclusive to Algerians; some French critics also condemned these designs, arguing that they lacked originality and were merely recycled versions of traditional attire with little to no modification. Some saw this trend as a way to exploit cultural heritage purely for profit, without respecting the peoples to whom it belongs.
The recurrence of such incidents raises questions about the importance of protecting cultural heritage from unfair commercial exploitation and calls for the implementation of laws to safeguard traditional clothing from global appropriation.
Amid the ongoing debate, Algerians are demanding an official response from the authorities to protect their cultural identity, especially as many elements of Algerian heritage continue to be mistakenly attributed to other countries in international forums.
