“Using divine names with entrepreneurial greed to sell shoes is abuse, which hampers the Hindu religious feelings,” says Rajan Zed, Hindu spiritual leader, in a communication addressed to fashion designer Philipp Plein. Plein named after Ganesha Kali, the deity of Hindu religion, two models of footwear from the new collection. The news broke from the Swiss weekly Handelszeitung (Philipp Plein, German, moved to Lugano). It also points out how the shoes are calf leather, which is sacred to the Hindu religion, and subject to controversy and political conflicts. Rajan Zed encourages Plein to change the name of the shoes Kali – a pump shoe sold at a price of 650 euros and an ankle boot (2.150 euros). Ganesha is a boot, sold at 4,998 euros. Philip Plein has yet made any comment.
Hindus against Philippe Plein: “Offend our gods with the names of your shoes”
