Fendi faces criticism over ₹8.3 lakh ‘Navratri’ Baguette and Gujarati craft credit
RPG chairman Harsh Goenka and Biocon’s Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw questioned whether Fendi’s Navratri-themed Baguette credits Indian artisans and Gujarati craft traditions. Fendi says the Italy-made, hand-embroidered bag takes more than 138 hours to produce.
What happened
RPG chairman Harsh Goenka and Biocon’s Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw criticised Fendi’s ₹8.3 lakh Navratri-themed Baguette bag for allegedly replicating Gujarati craft
Key facts
- ₹8.3 lakh
- 39,500 beads
- 475 mirrors
- 138+ hours
What changed
RPG chairman Harsh Goenka and Biocon’s Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw criticised Fendi’s ₹8.3 lakh Navratri-themed Baguette bag for allegedly replicating Gujarati craft without crediting Indian artisans. Fendi says the Italy-made, hand-embroidered bag requires over 138 hours of work.
Why this matters
Luxury retailers should pair India-inspired product storytelling with clear artisan attribution, provenance and community-benefit messaging to protect brand trust.
What to watch
- Whether Fendi updates product pages, social posts or press materials with Gujarati artisan attribution or collaboration details.
- Statements from Gujarati artisan groups, cultural organizations, Indian fashion bodies or government craft agencies.
- Amplification by Indian celebrities, luxury influencers, fashion editors and diaspora accounts.
- Evidence of a prior Fendi relationship with Indian craftspeople, designers or cultural advisers.
- Comparable controversies involving other luxury brands and subsequent changes to their India-market campaigns.