The famous fashion company "Balenciaga" is facing accusations of appropriating Moroccan heritage after it launched a new collection of shoes that Moroccans believe is inspired by the designs of the Moroccan "balgha." Recently, Balenciaga, founded by Spanish designer Christopher Balenciaga and based in Paris, introduced various types of shoes for Spring/Summer 2024. It stated that the new collection is made in Italy from soft sheepskin leather, featuring a foldable heel and a slip-resistant strap, without indicating that it used Moroccan designs.
This move has sparked outrage among Moroccans, who shared images from the company's official website showcasing the new shoe collection. They argue that the shoes, being sold at extravagant prices reaching up to $1,000, are nothing but "Moroccan balgha," accusing the company of "fraud and cultural appropriation," and demanding intervention from the relevant authorities to protect Moroccan heritage and compel the company to stop selling these shoes.
