Prada has lastly damaged their silence and acknowledged using Kolhapuri chappals of their newest Spring-Summer time 2026 Males’s assortment, following a long-drawn controversy warranting issues of cultural appropriation.
The Italian luxurious trend home has recognised and validated Kolhpauris‘ Indian connection, saying the design is “impressed” by the Indian handcrafted footwear. Nevertheless, they talked about that “the sandals featured within the males’s 2026 trend present are nonetheless on the design stage and not one of the items worn by fashions on the ramp are confirmed to be commercialised,” reported PTI.
Just a few days in the past in its present notes, Prada had described the footwear as “leather-based sandals,” with no reference to an Indian connection, evoking outrage from many in India’s trend group in addition to conventional makers of Kolhapuri chappals in western Maharashtra. Artisans from Maharashtra had cried foul after footwear much like the well-known Kolhapuri chappals featured in Prada’s present, alleging violation of geographical identification (GI) rights.
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“We acknowledge that the sandals featured within the latest Prada Males’s 2026 Vogue Present are impressed by conventional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage. We deeply acknowledge the cultural significance of such Indian craftsmanship,” a consultant from Prada stated in a reply to Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Business and Agriculture (MACCIA).
MACCIA president Lalit Gandhi had beforehand written to the style home after seeing the visuals, within the curiosity of the native artisans and the trade. “The Kolhapuri chappal may be very distinct and we wish our footwear to go to newer markets. Nevertheless it has to get the rightful recognition,” Gandhi had instructed PTI on Saturday.
Prada showcases their Spring-Summer time 2026 Males’s assortment (Supply: Instagram/@prada)
BJP MP Dhananjay Mahadik had additionally led a delegation of artisans who make this conventional footwear to fulfill Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging him to look into the violation and protect the product, which is a logo of the state’s cultural heritage.
The chamber additionally sought exploration collaborations and honest compensation to the artisans and likewise an adherence to moral trend practices that respect conventional information and cultural rights, within the context of the normal handcrafted leather-based sandal being awarded Geographical Indication (GI) standing by the Authorities of India in 2019.
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“We’re dedicated to accountable design practices, fostering cultural engagement, and opening a dialogue for a significant trade with native Indian artisan communities as we’ve accomplished up to now in different collections to make sure the rightful recognition of their craft,” Prada’s group head for company social accountability, Lorenzo Bertelli, stated in his reply.
Know extra about Kolhapuri chappals
Kolhapuris are slip-on chappals handcrafted from premium high quality leather-based by expert artisans who’ve been at it for generations. Not solely are Kolhapuri chappals constructed to final, their sturdiness and unmatched consolation make them a favorite among the many Indian crowd. In actual fact, when you bypass their break-in interval, these slippers take the form of the wearer’s ft over time and supply a customized match.
In line with Shweta Navandar, affiliate professor, division of trend communication, Pearl Academy, Mumbai, traditionally, Kolhapuris could be traced again to the twelfth century through the reign of King Bijjal of Karnataka and his prime minister, Vishwaguru Basavanna, who labored to uplift the cobbler group. Nevertheless, it wasn’t till the twentieth century, underneath the rule of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur, that the footwear started to be broadly traded,” she instructed indianexpress.com.
Kolhapuri chappals are a bit of Indian heritage. Carrying them helps conventional craftsmanship and helps protect an age-old artwork kind. They will serve you for a few years with correct care, making them a sustainable and cost-effective selection in the long term.
