Maria B faces criticism for 'stealing' design of artist for Falasteen collection

Renowned designer Maria B's Falasteen collection has sparked mixed reactions, with one activist accusing her of 'stealing' an artist's design for her latest capsule line.

Critics slammed Maria B for failing to clarify how all profits from her collection will be sent to the Gaza Strip or which Palestinian organisations will be the recipients of her donations.

Others criticised her for profiting from Palestinian's suffering and suggested that she could have collected donations through her existing collections without exploiting their heritage.

The Maria B Falasteen collection is really killing me I cant do this please just… you don’t need to appropriate an entire culture of people living through a genocide to be able to donate to their cause okay Maria B could just donate the earnings from her EXISTING COLLECTIONS

— Husn Hai Suhana (@Fatmounh) August 17, 2024

I’m in absolute awe of Maria B’s tireless devotion to the cause of the Muslim Ummah BUT I wish that there could be some transparency as to how exactly would she be sending money to the people of 🇵🇸 by selling her latest range of clothing. pic.twitter.com/hI7I5xnoAW

— Muneeb Qadir (@muneebqadirmmq) August 17, 2024

Activist Leena Ghani took to Instagram to reveal that Maria B appropriated the design of an artist. The original artwork was spotted on a Canadian page dedicated to solidarity with Palestinians.

The same artwork was printed on the shirt of a two-piece printed lawn collection by Maria B.

However, Maria B explained on her Instagram account that she had been working with Palestinian students for over a year and decided to launch her collection in collaboration with them.

She asserted that Palestinian students shared their personal narratives and insights into their traditional embroidery and heritage, all while living under the constant threat of their culture being erased by the Israeli occupation.

She stated that she infused these symbols into the collection to vividly portray 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 Rs4000 (that went into the making) will also be donated to the cause by my organisation…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.