Pakistani fashion designer Maria B is being accused of using Palestinian culture in her latest collection. Netizens are accusing her of cultural appropriation, with dresses and designs influenced by Palestinian Keffiyeh.
Her new collection has been adorned in black, white, red, and green colors- symbols of Palestinian culture and flag. She launched her new collection on social media with a promo video and a caption that attracted both praise and controversy. The fashion designer informed that the profit from this collection will be donated for the Palestinian cause.
“An ode to our heart.. Falasteen Launching in stores and online on 17th August.. All proceeds of this collection will go to our families there. My love for this land cannot be quantified or put in words… so I did what an artist does.. express my love and loyalty to Al Quds by designing a collection to raise money for our brothers… our hearts are broken, and no one hears our screams, especially the beyghairat leaders of the ummah.. But victory will be ours Insha’Allah,” she wrote in the caption of the post.
The designer received flak for using the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the plight of Palestinians for her business. The fashion designer has been extremely vocal about the Palestinian cause on social media.
https://x.com/RealMariaButt/status/1824438434485670276
One user commented, “While Palestinians are getting killed in the blink of an eye, Maria B thinks it’s the best time to start her modeling career by appropriating their culture. Her horrible clothes aren’t going to Free Palestine. She needs to be transparent about which charity she will be sending the proceeds to. No one is falling for this stunt. Shame on everyone involved in this campaign.
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One supporter commented, “She is the only designer who is speaking out for Palestine.” This sentiment was echoed by others who viewed the collection as a bold and necessary statement from a prominent South Asian Muslim designer.
In another post, Maria B said that she will continue to speak up for the Palestinian cause irrespective of criticism.