In Shorts
- Ralph Lauren’s Fall 2026 Paris Fashion Week show featured earrings resembling traditional Indian jhumkas.
- Social media users criticized the brand for not acknowledging the South Asian origin of the design.
- The incident has reignited discussions on cultural appropriation and credit in the global fashion industry.
A runway look from Ralph Lauren’s Fall 2026 collection at Paris Fashion Week has sparked a lively global conversation about cultural representation in fashion. While the show featured the brand’s signature polished tailoring and classic silhouettes, it was a small accessory that caught the internet’s attention.
Models walking the runway were seen wearing bell shaped silver earrings that strongly resembled traditional Indian jhumkas. The distinctive jewellery style, widely worn across South Asia, has long been part of the region’s cultural and fashion identity.
As images and videos from the event circulated online, many social media users quickly pointed out the similarity. Critics argued that the luxury label did not acknowledge the design’s Indian roots, which led to accusations of cultural appropriation.
The controversy intensified after observers noticed that the brand described the accessories only as “vintage pieces” in its captions and show notes. There was no direct reference to India or the cultural background of the jhumka design, which some viewers felt erased the craftsmanship and heritage behind the jewellery.
Jhumkas are traditional bell shaped earrings with a long history in South Asian jewellery. Their origins can be traced back to ancient temple sculptures from the Chola dynasty in India, and over centuries they evolved into one of the region’s most iconic adornments.
The incident has once again raised broader questions about cultural appropriation in the fashion industry. Critics say that when global brands use elements of traditional cultures without acknowledgement or collaboration, it risks sidelining the communities that created them. Supporters, however, argue that fashion has always drawn inspiration from different cultures and that such exchanges are part of creative evolution.
Regardless of where one stands in the debate, the discussion highlights a growing expectation that global fashion houses give credit to the cultural origins of the designs they showcase. In the age of social media, even the smallest accessory on a runway can spark a worldwide conversation.
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