Ticos criticize famous designer Carolina Herrera for the bag she put up for sale
Details Published: Sunday, January 21, 2024 4:26 p.m. Written by the editorial team
Renowned designer Carolina Herrera is embroiled in controversy over allegations of cultural appropriation.
Now she is accused in various countries of exploiting regional identities to design a bag she calls the “Poncho Bag.”
In its new collections, the famous CH brand introduced its bag in a simple design with bright red and blue colors, plastic handles and fringes, handmade by artisans in the atelier in Spain. I would avoid it if it were not similar to the sacks used in Latin America for various purposes.
“There's nothing original about it.” “The worst thing is that he's selling it as a luxury item.” “That's what happens when creativity runs out.” “What a nice profit from cultural appropriation.” “What's the value of a bag Coffee with cultural appropriation?” Such reactions can be read in the publications in which the brand promotes this accessory.
On this occasion, the designer caused displeasure among users, especially in Costa Rica. There were also complaints in Colombia and Mexico.
In all three countries they criticized the “new bag” for its similarity to the bags used in popular commercial activities, far from the glamor with which the CH piece aims to project.
Colombians and Costa Ricans assume that it is a plagiarism of the bags in which export coffee is packaged. They also associate it with the model of coffee sacks that are distributed in various cities for import. “(The bag) should have the name Costa Rica because it is the typical coffee bag with the colors of our flag,” reads one of the comments on the brand’s Instagram account.
The general annoyance is that the CH brand exploits items and products associated with the working class and offers them as high fashion designs at high prices.
