Celebrated designer Maria B’s Falasteen collection has sparked mixed reactions after an activist accused her of “stealing” an artist’s work for her latest capsule collection.
Maria B’s new collection, featuring the colors of the Palestinian flag—red, white, black, and green—includes prints that resemble the traditional Palestinian keffiyeh. In her launch post, Maria B wrote: “Freedom and Unity. Presenting a collection that holds a special place in Maria’s heart, a tribute to the enduring spirit of our Ummah. Falasteen. Inspired by those who stand tall, this collection embodies unity and strength. Launching online and in stores tomorrow… All of the proceeds from the campaign will be donated to Palestine.”
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Activist Leena Ghani took to Instagram to allege that Maria B appropriated the design from an artist, noting that the original artwork was seen on a Canadian page dedicated to Palestinian solidarity. The same artwork appeared on a shirt from Maria B’s two-piece printed lawn collection.
Some critics questioned Maria B for not specifying which Palestinian organizations would receive her donations or how the proceeds from her collection would be delivered to the Gaza Strip.
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In response, Maria B shared on her Instagram page that she had collaborated with Palestinian children for over a year to bring the collection to life. She explained that while living under the constant threat of cultural erasure by the Israeli occupation, Palestinian students shared their personal stories and insights into their traditional embroidery and heritage.
