Shein

Shein, the fast-fashion giant, offered a line of "Ethnic Boho" Kurtis, priced under 0. These garments, made from synthetic polyester, featured block prints algorithmically lifted from traditional Indian designs. The collection was marketed globally, presenting these as trendy, affordable fashion items without acknowledging their cultural roots.

Chikankari (चिकनकारी) is a delicate hand embroidery from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, known for its intricate white-on-white patterns, often depicting floral motifs. Ajrakh (अजरख) is a complex block-printing technique from Gujarat, involving multiple stages of resist dyeing and printing using natural dyes. Both crafts are labor-intensive, requiring specialized skills passed down through generations, and hold significant cultural and economic value for their artisan communities.

The appropriation was widely criticized by artisans, cultural commentators, and journalists who highlighted the blatant lifting of traditional block prints. Objections centered on the complete lack of credit given to the original craftspeople and the cultural origins of the designs. Critics pointed out how Shein's mass-produced, cheap imitations on synthetic fabrics directly undercut the handloom market and devalued the authentic, labor-intensive work of Indian artisans.