Rethininking Culture in Fashion

When a global sportswear giant was called to account for releasing a sandal that closely mirrored a traditional Oaxacan design, it became clear that the debate over cultural appropriation in fashion is no longer confined to the margins. Such controversies are unfolding in a legal and cultural environment where origin stories are scrutinized and communities have greater power to demand recognition and restitution. They are also reminders of a longer history in which garments like the Indian jodhpurs were absorbed into Western fashion until their origins faded from view. The challenge for the industry now is to confront how these patterns persist and to decide whether its future will be built on extraction or on genuine cultural engagement.