The skirt presented in the 2022 fall collection of French luxury brand Dior has been accused of ‘copying’. It is said to be an imitation of the traditional dress of the Ming Dynasty in China. The article appeared on the online portal of China’s People’s Daily newspaper accusing Dior of ‘cultural theft’. The controversy heated up when Chinese youth organized a protest in front of the Christian Dior store in Paris.
Dior’s slinky skirt sparked controversy. This skirt has four slits. ‘The school uniform combines the ideas of community and brotherhood. Dior has described this skirt as ‘a glamorous dress’. The price is 3800 dollars (3,03,088 rupees).
Those in China say it is an imitation of the Mamian, or horse-faced skirt, a traditional garment of the Ming Dynasty. The Ming dynasty ruled China from 1368 to 1644. Horse face skirts have been around since the Song Dynasty. Later it became popular during the Ming Dynasty. A horse-faced skirt was an ideal outfit to wear while riding a horse.
People wonder how Dior is able to present this skirt as a new design when it is similar in many details to the horse face skirt. asks an article published by CN. Protesters say the only difference is that while Dior’s skirts are knee-length, the traditional Chinese costume is floor-length. Protesters have warned that similar protests will be organized in New York and London if Dior is not ready to correct the mistake.