Sharp criticism of Zara and other fashion labels - appropriation of indigenous patterns

Several fashion labels are currently being criticized by the Mexican Ministry of Culture.

It is about the "rights of the indigenous peoples".

Mexico City - The Mexican Ministry of Culture has sharply criticized three international clothing chains for the unsolicited use of indigenous patterns.

In a letter to the Spanish company Zara and the two US chains Anthropologie and Patowl, the minister Alejandra Frausto called for a public declaration for the appropriation of the "common property" of various indigenous peoples as well as proposals for their compensation, as her ministry announced on Friday.

Mexico: Criticism for using indigenous patterns on Zara and two US fashion chains

In her letter of May 13, Frausto pleaded for “fair trade” and the equal treatment of indigenous creatives, entrepreneurs and designers.

It is a question of "ethical consideration" to insist on the "protection of the rights of indigenous peoples" and to discuss it, she wrote on.

Among other things, she complained about a belt for a midi dress, embroidered shorts and printed T-shirts with elements from the culture of the Mixtec and Zapotec peoples.

In the past, the ministry had repeatedly reprimanded internationally known designers or clothing chains for using the patterns and embroidery of indigenous peoples for their collections.