Prada has lastly damaged their silence and acknowledged the usage of Kolhapuri chappals of their newest Spring-Summer season 2026 Males’s assortment, following a long-drawn controversy warranting issues of cultural appropriation.
The Italian luxurious vogue 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 vogue 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 vogue neighborhood 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 Style 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, Trade 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 business. “The Kolhapuri chappal may be very distinct and we would like our footwear to go to newer markets. Nevertheless it has to get the rightful recognition,” Gandhi had advised PTI on Saturday.
Prada showcases their Spring-Summer season 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 vogue practices that respect conventional information and cultural rights, within the context of the standard 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 change with native Indian artisan communities as we have now completed prior 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. The truth is, 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 accordance with Shweta Navandar, affiliate professor, division of vogue communication, Pearl Academy, Mumbai, traditionally, Kolhapuris might be traced again to the twelfth century in the course of the reign of King Bijjal of Karnataka and his prime minister, Vishwaguru Basavanna, who labored to uplift the cobbler neighborhood. Nevertheless, it wasn’t till the twentieth century, underneath the rule of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur, that the footwear started to be extensively traded,” she advised indianexpress.com.
Kolhapuri chappals are a chunk of Indian heritage. Carrying them helps conventional craftsmanship and helps protect an age-old artwork kind. They’ll serve you for a few years with correct care, making them a sustainable and cost-effective alternative in the long term.
