Louis Vuitton and Fendi are on fire for selling their rendition of the Keffiyeh for exorbitant amounts of money ($705 to be precise) on their website – of which not even a single penny will go towards supporting the numerous Palestinian relief funds.
By calling the Keffiyeh the “Keffiyeh stole” I’m pretty sure Louis Vuitton was referring to stealing an entire nations’ symbol of resistance and nationalism. It’s extremely disrespectful that they chose to commodify a symbol for the Palestinian resistance for their monetary gain at a time when those in power turn a blind eye towards the carnage in Palestine.
Some might say that Bella Hadid has made the Keffiyeh “fashionable” again, so it’s only natural that luxury fashion brand(s) are catering to their clientele’s needs. You know, the basic laws of demand and supply. However, it fails to factor in the symbolic nature of the Keffiyeh and what it means to those that don it proudly over their head and their shoulders.
Thus, the outcry on Twitter was no surprise. People were rightfully upset and this is what they had to say:
Twitter Disapproves
Pakistani Designer Sonya Battla Disagrees With Twitter
Sonya Battla needs no introduction. Her brand name is synonymous with high-end fashion and she’s been an integral part of the Pakistani fashion scene for the past two decades. However, while combing through Twitter it was interesting to find that she disagrees with the outrage most people feel towards Louis Vuitton and Fendi.
Honour Thy Roots
Many want to wear the Keffiyeh and show their support for Palestine. However, it is important to realise that some things are intertwined with certain cultures and their histories. That monetizing those items without respect and sensitivity comes off as extremely tone deaf.
Moreover, if you want to purchase a Keffiyeh to show solidarity try to avoid the cheap Chinese, mass-produced knock-offs. Instead buy from those that own the culture and are a true representation of what it means to be Palestinian.
