Isabel Marant’s New Collection Sparks Accusations of Cultural Appropriation

A new spring collection by a famous French brand is raising questions about inspiration, culture, and proper credit where it is due.

Fez – Isabel Marant, a well-known French fashion brand, is facing strong criticism after launching its new Spring collection Marant Étoile.

The collection features clothing and accessories that look heavily inspired by Moroccan culture. From traditional Moroccan fabrics to Amazigh jewelry and iconic jackets, the influence is clear.

However, the brand failed to mention Morocco anywhere in its official campaign.

The collection’s description on Isabel Marant’s website uses vague terms like “craft-inspired motifs” and “folk spirit,” but it does not name the source of these inspirations.

Instead, the text describes the collection as having “stripes evoking the horizon” and “coral jewelry,” avoiding any reference to Morocco’s rich cultural heritage.

This is a clear example of cultural appropriation – the act of taking cultural elements from a group, and using them for profit without credit or respect.

Morocco, with its long history of craftsmanship, traditional textiles, and unique jewelry, has often been a target of such practices by Western fashion brands.

Even the photos used to promote the collection appear to have been taken in Morocco, although the brand did not confirm the location.

This silence, combined with the clear Moroccan elements in the designs, has angered many in Morocco and beyond.

Social media users are calling out Isabel Marant for ignoring the culture that inspired the collection while still profiting from its beauty and uniqueness.

This is not the first time Moroccan culture has been used specifically by luxury fashion brands without proper credit. In recent years, Moroccan patterns, fabrics, and symbols have frequently appeared in high-end collections, often without any mention of the artisans, traditions, or cultural significance behind them.

As global conversations about cultural appropriation grow louder, brands like Isabel Marant shall face increasing pressure to give proper credit and respect to the cultures they borrow from.

Acknowledging the source, collaborating with local artisans, or supporting cultural preservation efforts would be a more ethical way to engage with global fashion inspirations.

For now, Isabel Marant has made no public statement about the accusations, leaving the Moroccan community and cultural advocates waiting for answers.