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Free People accused of appropriating Native American culture with festival line

Free People is under fire for its Native American-themed festival collection, the latest brand to be accused of cultural appropriation.
/ Source: TODAY

Free People is under fire for its Native American-themed festival collection, the latest brand to be accused of cultural appropriation.

Fashion fans are calling out the bohemian retailer for pieces like the feather headdress and elaborate ear cuffs featured on the brand's website, in a section called "Festival Outfit Ideas."

Free People's Native American-themed festival line
Shoppers aren't pleased with pieces like this feather crown from Free People.freepeople.com

"Your festival shop is a disgusting example of cultural appropriation," one woman wrote on Twitter. "I'm offended!"

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URBN, the company that owns Free People as well as Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters, has not yet responded to TODAY's request for comment.

Free People's Native American-themed festival line
Another piece from Free People's festival collection is a feather ear cuff.freepeople.com

Fashion inspired by Native American culture, and criticism of it, is nothing new, of course:

Not everyone agrees with the backlash: "I don't see this in a negative way," another shopper said on Twitter. "I think it's a compliment to model a fashion on another culture."

This isn't Free People's first controversy related to cultural appropriation. Keen shoppers also blasted the brand in 2014 when it started selling clip-in dreadlocks:

Many brands have borrowed elements from other cultures in their designs.

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H&M had to pull a faux feather headdress after complaints, and the Navajo Nation even took legal action over Urban Outfitters' native-inspired underwear and flasks. Pendleton, Forever 21 and Victoria's Secret have also all faced similar controversies.