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

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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