Gucci has come under fire again for cultural insensitivity.
The Italian fashion house reignited controversy with its “Indy Full Turban,” which first debuted during Milan Fashion Week in February 2018. Gucci received backlash at the time for appropriating the traditional Sikh headwear and selling it as a fashion accessory for profit.
The issue resurfaced this week after customers spotted the sold-out item, which retailed for $790, on Nordstrom’s website described as a “gorgeously crafted turban” that “is ready to turn heads while keeping you in comfort as well as trademark style.”
Seriously @Nordstrom @gucci ? The turban is one of the most important and symbolic articles of faith for Sikhs, and you’re selling it as a fashion accessory to make money? This isn’t the first time you’ve come under fire for cultural appropriation. Do better. pic.twitter.com/3KHtHSKEqm
— Taran Parmar (@Tarankparmar) May 14, 2019
“The turban is not just a fashion accessory to monetize, but a religious article of faith that millions of Sikhs around the world view as sacred,” the Sikh Coalition, an advocacy organization, said in a statement to NBC News.
Twitter users echoed the same sentiments when they also called out Gucci for the offensive headwear.
Dear @gucci, the Sikh Turban is not a hot new accessory for white models but an article of faith for practising Sikhs. Your models have used Turbans as ‘hats’ whereas practising Sikhs tie them neatly fold-by-fold. Using fake Sikhs/Turbans is worse than selling fake Gucci products pic.twitter.com/sOaKgNmgwR
— Harjinder Singh Kukreja (@SinghLions) May 16, 2019
This is beyond aggravating. Did someone at @gucci even bother to figure out what a dastaar (turban) means to Sikhs? Did it cross your minds to consider the history behind our identity? My people are discriminated against, even killed, for wearing a turban. pic.twitter.com/G62edSmjhf
— Aasees Kaur (@SouthernSikh) May 14, 2019
This isn’t the first time the luxury brand has sparked backlash. In February, Gucci pulled its $890 balaclava turtleneck sweater from stores amid criticism of resembling blackface.
“We consider diversity to be a fundamental value to be fully upheld, respected and at the forefront of every decision we make,” the company said in a statement at the time. “We are fully committed to increasing diversity throughout our organization and turning this incident into a powerful learning moment for the Gucci team and beyond.”
Copyright © 2025 by NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.