Louis Vuitton Faces Backlash From Hindu Community Over Yoga Mat Made of Cowhide Leather
A “hugely insensitive” release to practicing Hindus.
Back in October, Louis Vuitton introduced a new monogram yoga mat as part of its line of accessories for the holiday season. The French fashion house is now facing backlash from the Hindu community for being “hugely insensitive,” specifically for making the item out of cowhide leather.
Rajan Zed, president of The Universal Society of Hinduism, shared in a statement that the mat is highly offensive to Hinduism in which cows and yoga are serious concepts. Although yoga is sometimes understood as a form of workout in other parts of the world, the practice is actually a “profound, sacred and ancient discipline” introduced by Hinduism. Performing the act on a mat made from a killed cow – a sacred figure that is the seat of many deities in the religion – is “painful,” Zed commented. He further reached out to LVMH for a formal apology. Noting that the company’s code of conduct includes a section on social awareness, he added that the luxury house “should not be in the business of religious appropriation, sacrilege, mocking serious spiritual practices and ridiculing entire communities.”
The $2,390 USD yoga mat, which is currently listed on Louis Vuitton’s website, is described to feature “luxurious House signatures, including natural cowhide leather details and a Monogram canvas strap and cardholder.”
