Romania faces down Louis Vuitton for 'stealing' its beloved blouse

A woman from Sibiu region arranges traditional blouses at an exhibition of traditional Romanian Blouses in Vaideeni village, south-central Romania. Photo: AFP

Villagers in Vaideeni at the foot of Romania's Carpathian mountains are fuming at French luxury brand Louis Vuitton for "stealing" the design of their traditional blouse.

Maria Gioanca, 69, one of two dozen women who still hand sew the black-and-white garment in the village, told AFP she "won't let the costume be stolen" for fancy beach wear.