Peruvian Designer's Collaboration Sparks Debate Over Cultural Appropriation

Peruvian Designer at the Heart of Cultural Appropriation Debate LIMA, PERU—A recent collaboration between renowned Peruvian fashion designer Meche Correa and the brand AliRapp has sparked a heated debate about cultural appropriation. The controversy centers around AliRapp's "Mercado Bags," which draw inspiration from traditional Peruvian market bags. The video by Opinologa provides context, detailing Correa's extensive work preserving and promoting Peruvian textile traditions. Correa has been an ambassador for Peruvian fashion internationally, showcasing her collections in Spain, the US, France, and Japan. Her designs often incorporate indigenous materials and ancestral techniques. "Meche Correa creates pieces that function as vehicles of cultural expression," Opinologa explains in the video. "She brings together the ancestral and the contemporary." However, the use of traditional designs by a high-fashion brand has raised questions. Critics argue that without proper acknowledgment or compensation to the artisan communities, this constitutes cultural appropriation. Others defend the collaboration as cultural appreciation, celebrating traditional crafts on a larger platform. The discussion highlights the complex issues surrounding cultural heritage and its commercial use. The conversation underscores the need for respectful engagement with indigenous communities and a fair representation of their artistic contributions.