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Romanian People Noticed That Dior Copied Their Traditional Clothing And Decided To Fight Back In A Genius Way
Designer clothing brands quite often come under fire for shamelessly plagiarising other brands or artists and “borrowing” elements from local cultures’ traditional clothing.
Last year, when Dior’s pre-fall collection came out, people began to notice that some of their clothes looked oddly familiar. The designs put the small Romanian region of Bihor in the spotlight. As it turns out, Dior’s coat bears a stunning similarity to the traditional Bihor coat. The famous fashion house is now selling the coat for a striking sum of 30,000 euros. However, none of the proceeds will go to Bihor’s community, since Dior never credited Romanian culture as a source that may have fuelled their inspiration.
This whole situation began a genius new way to fight against cultural appropriation. Romanian fashion magazine, Beau Monde, launched a campaign to set things straight. With the help of native Bihor artisans and designers, they created a brand new fashion trend through a line which helps preserve their traditions. This is how Bihor Couture was born. The project allows fashion enthusiasts to buy authentic traditional Bihor garments for a much lower price than Dior’s clothing, while directly paying the local craftsmen who made the clothes.
Scroll below to see Bihor’s designs!
More info: bihorcouture.com | youtube.com
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Bihor is a small Romanian region filled with unique and beautiful cultural traditions
Image credits: Bihor Couture
The people there are very proud of their traditional clothing designs
Image credits: mirceacantor
That distinguishes them from other cultures
Image credits: Romania Tourism
However last year, when Dior’s pre-fall collection came out, people began to notice that some of their clothes looked oddly familiar
Image credits: Vogue
They bear a stunning similarity to the traditional Bihor jacket
Image credits: Ţara Binşului
Here are the clothes side by side
Image credits: Vogue La Blouse Romaine
The similarities are striking
Image credits: Vogue Romania Tourism
Dior is selling the clothes for 30,000 euros
Image credits: Vogue lablouseroumaine
However, none of the proceeds will go to Bihor’s community, as Dior never credited as their source of inspiration
Image credits: Vogue Romania Dacia
To fight against cultural appropriation Romanian fashion magazine, Beau Monde, launched a wonderful campaign
Image credits: Bihor Couture
With the help of native Bihor craftsmen and designers, they created a brand new fashion line Bihor Couture
Image credits: Bihor Couture
The project allows fashion enthusiasts to buy authentic traditional Bihor clothing for a much cheaper price, while directly paying the local craftsmen who made the clothes
Image credits: Bihor Couture
Watch the video below to hear what Bihor’s fashion critics have to say about Dior’s clothing
Image credits: Bihor Couture
Here’s what people had to say about the issue:
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What do you think ?
Brooke 7 years ago
This is actual "cultural appropriation". There are so many examples of people getting up in arms about someone from one culture wearing something from another culture and claiming it is "appropriation" when it is clearly isn't. But actually saying "this is my original design" and not giving credit to the culture they derived it from is legit appropriation.
Full Name 7 years ago
I'm as anti SJW as they come, but even I have to agree that this is actual, real cultural appropriation (never thought I'd write THAT sentence, haha). To make designs sort of in the ballpark is just fine, but some of these were damn near identical. It's exactly like all those threads where big companies do a series of ads where they obviously bite either a designer or photographer or whatever. In this case it's a whole selections of people instead of just one, but that doesn't change the fact it's beyond the pale.
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SandaPanda 7 years ago
I just ordered a choker on bihorcouture.com and I'm really looking forward to getting it!! Love the website!
Oana Dogaru 7 years ago
My mother is one of the artists that makes chokers for bihorcouture. I am not sure if yours will be made by her but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless because they are very well-crafted and beautiful :)
Load More Replies...
Usernameofgag 7 years ago
I never understand why people buy 30,000 euros clothing. I know they have money, but what the purpose of those...
bob 7 years ago
I used to work in South Ken, London, and I've seen my fair share of billionaires for whom 30,000 euros was small change... It just doesn't cross their mind that for the huge majority, this represents quite a lot of money...
Load More Replies...
Torii Wehling 7 years ago
Think of all the cultures high fashion has ripped off and not paid d a penny to: native Americans, Caribbean islanders, Mexicans, South Americans, Canadian, etc. The list is endless.
Oana Dogaru 7 years ago
I love what Beau Monde did to shed spotlight on Bihor, and my mother being one of the artists that creates these traditional chokers/jackets, bihorcouture.com really helped her get known and share her crafts :)
Pavel Chichikov 7 years ago
If the real estate listed on eBay is any guide, you could buy 5-10 houses in that area for the price of one of those couture jackets. Amazingly tone deaf and greedy of Dior not to credit the inspiration and kick some money their way.
Brooke 7 years ago
This is actual "cultural appropriation". There are so many examples of people getting up in arms about someone from one culture wearing something from another culture and claiming it is "appropriation" when it is clearly isn't. But actually saying "this is my original design" and not giving credit to the culture they derived it from is legit appropriation.
Full Name 7 years ago
I'm as anti SJW as they come, but even I have to agree that this is actual, real cultural appropriation (never thought I'd write THAT sentence, haha). To make designs sort of in the ballpark is just fine, but some of these were damn near identical. It's exactly like all those threads where big companies do a series of ads where they obviously bite either a designer or photographer or whatever. In this case it's a whole selections of people instead of just one, but that doesn't change the fact it's beyond the pale.
Load More Replies... SandaPanda 7 years ago
I just ordered a choker on bihorcouture.com and I'm really looking forward to getting it!! Love the website!
Oana Dogaru 7 years ago
My mother is one of the artists that makes chokers for bihorcouture. I am not sure if yours will be made by her but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless because they are very well-crafted and beautiful :)
Load More Replies... Usernameofgag 7 years ago
I never understand why people buy 30,000 euros clothing. I know they have money, but what the purpose of those...
bob 7 years ago
I used to work in South Ken, London, and I've seen my fair share of billionaires for whom 30,000 euros was small change... It just doesn't cross their mind that for the huge majority, this represents quite a lot of money...
Load More Replies... Torii Wehling 7 years ago
Think of all the cultures high fashion has ripped off and not paid d a penny to: native Americans, Caribbean islanders, Mexicans, South Americans, Canadian, etc. The list is endless.
Oana Dogaru 7 years ago
I love what Beau Monde did to shed spotlight on Bihor, and my mother being one of the artists that creates these traditional chokers/jackets, bihorcouture.com really helped her get known and share her crafts :)
Pavel Chichikov 7 years ago
If the real estate listed on eBay is any guide, you could buy 5-10 houses in that area for the price of one of those couture jackets. Amazingly tone deaf and greedy of Dior not to credit the inspiration and kick some money their way.
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