Designer Maria B’s Falasteen collection has stirred a mix of reactions, with one activist accusing her of “stealing” an artist’s design for her latest capsule line.
Critics have condemned Maria B for not clarifying how the profits from her collection will be sent to the Gaza Strip or specifying which Palestinian organizations will receive her donations.
Others have accused her of profiting from the suffering of Palestinians, suggesting that she could have raised funds through her existing collections without exploiting their heritage. Activist Leena Ghani took to Instagram, revealing that Maria B had appropriated an artist’s design, originally spotted on a Canadian page dedicated to Palestinian solidarity.
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The same design appeared on a shirt in Maria B’s two-piece printed lawn collection. However, Maria B addressed the controversy on Instagram, explaining that she had been working with Palestinian students for over a year and decided to launch her collection in collaboration with them.
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She emphasized that these students shared their personal stories and insights into their traditional embroidery and heritage, all while living under the constant threat of cultural erasure by the Israeli occupation.
Maria B stated that she incorporated these symbols into the collection to vividly represent Palestinian identity.
“If I have made a suit that cost us Rs4,000 and we are selling it for Rs6,000, then aside from the profit, the Rs4,000 (that went into making it) will also be donated to the cause by my organization… the entire sales of the collection will go to Falasteen. For everyone who loves Falasteen, you will love this collection because there are small details in it that will remind you of Palestine,” she added.
Following the allegations of artwork theft, Maria B issued a public apology. She also revealed that she had reached out to the artist whose work was used. “We have contacted the artist, who responded with empathy and grace, recognizing our efforts. She has expressed a willingness to collaborate with us in our support for Gaza. She is a young and talented artist, and we encourage everyone to support her work,” the designer shared.