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Ralph Lauren Faces Backlash Over Jhumka-Like Earrings at Paris Fashion Week

Critics say the runway pieces echoed South Asian jhumkas without acknowledgment, intensifying calls for clear credit to heritage crafts.

Overview

  • Ralph Lauren’s Fall 2026 show in Paris featured long, bell-shaped silver earrings widely compared to traditional South Asian jhumkas as images spread online.
  • Brand posts described certain accessories as “authentic vintage” and did not cite Indian origins for the earrings, according to coverage of its social media captions.
  • In contrast, Ralph Lauren credited Native American designers Neil Zarama, Jimmy Begay, and TÓPA for other pieces, prompting questions about inconsistent attribution.
  • As of the latest reports, the company has not issued a formal response addressing the resemblance or the calls for cultural credit.
  • The flare-up is being linked to a broader pattern, following 2025 criticism of Prada’s Kolhapuri-style sandals and commentary on Dior’s use of mukaish embroidery, while underscoring the jhumka’s deep cultural significance across South Asia.