RPG Enterprises Chairman Harsh Goenka recently took to social media to express his disapproval of Swedish furniture giant IKEA. Goenka highlighted an instance where what he described as a common Indian steel thali was being sold as a "chic chrome plate" for Rs 760. This sparked a humorous, yet pointed, critique from the industrialist.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Goenka quipped, "First it was Kolhapuri chappals, then dupattas, and now IKEA is selling our steel thali as a 'chic chrome plate.' for Rs 760." He then joked about the potential for another everyday Indian kitchen item, the humble rolling pin or 'belan', to receive a similar premium makeover. "Can't wait for IKEA to drop the 'Aerodynamic Dough-Flattening Wand' (our humble belan) for ₹4,500. It may come with a warning label: 'Not to be used by indian wives as a missile on their husbands'," he added, combining humor with a sharp observation on perceived cultural appropriation.
Origin of the 'Chic Chrome Plate' Description
The term "chic chrome plate" gained traction after an American influencer, Amanda Monsen, shared an Instagram video in August. In the video, she showcased stainless-steel plates she found at IKEA, describing them as stylish chrome accessories suitable for decorative use or serving. Indian social media users quickly recognized these as the ubiquitous steel thalis commonly found in households across the country, leading to widespread discussion and amusement.
Goenka's History of Critiquing Global Brands
This is not the first time Harsh Goenka has called out international luxury brands for selling products that resemble traditional Indian designs at significantly inflated prices, often without acknowledging their cultural origins or benefiting local artisans.
Prada and Kolhapuri Chappals
In June 2025, Goenka criticized Italian fashion house Prada when its men's Spring/Summer 2026 collection featured sandals resembling Kolhapuri chappals, priced at over ₹1 lakh. He contrasted this with Indian artisans who craft similar chappals by hand for around ₹400, lamenting that global brands profit while local creators lose out. Following the criticism, Prada acknowledged the inspiration from traditional Indian footwear and expressed willingness to engage with artisan communities. Kolhapuri chappals, known for their handcrafted leather, received Geographical Indication recognition in 2019.
Fendi's 'Navratri' Bag
More recently, in September 2026, the RPG Group chairman criticized luxury fashion house Fendi for a bag he believed closely resembled inexpensive traditional bags sold in Gujarat during Navratri celebrations. He questioned the reported ₹8.3 lakh price tag for a design he compared to bags available in local markets for approximately ₹500, accusing the brand of failing to credit Indian artisans.