That “European” Beadwork? Made in India.

Western fashion houses are claiming they’re bringing beading back. The “Ibiza aesthetic” was never theirs to begin with.

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A model walks the runway during the Germanier Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 30, 2025 in Paris, France (Francois Durand/Getty Images)

Sanchita Kedia

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May 12, 2025

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10 min

This spring, several trends took over London and Paris runways. There was maximalism — Yves Saint Laurent and Valentino showcased glittering brocade jackets and bejeweled tops in peacock green and gold. Then, there was Germanier, which showcased an entire line of luxe beadwork in a rainbow of colors. Though the first few fashion houses didn’t mention the artisans who made their work, the latter admitted it used “second-hand garments and leftovers from workshops in countries including Brazil and India.”

Now, all over social media, beaded clothing and bags have exploded in popularity, with fashion influencers dubbing it the “Ibiza aesthetic.” Glamour listed beadwork (called “Bohemian daydream”) as its top trend for Spring 2025. Kendall Jenner carries a Tommy beaded bag. High fashion brands like Dior and Chanel already use Indian beadwork in their designs. There’s only one problem: in the same year where influencers called the dupatta a “Scandinavian scarf” and Cartier jilted Dilijit Dosanjh, once again, the “Ibiza trend” is South Asian — without any of the credit. 

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