Prada Acknowledges Kolhapuri Chappals as Inspiration After Cultural Appropriation Backlash
Mumbai/Milan | June 28, 2025: Luxury fashion house Prada has finally broken its silence over a growing controversy surrounding its Spring/Summer 2026 menswear collection, which showcased sandals bearing a striking resemblance to Kolhapuri chappals. Following mounting backlash in India, the Italian brand admitted the designs were indeed inspired by the traditional handcrafted footwear of Maharashtra and Karnataka.
In a letter addressed to Lalit Gandhi, President of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA), Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada’s Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, wrote:
“We acknowledge that the sandals featured in the recent Prada Men’s 2026 Fashion Show are inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear with a centuries-old heritage. We deeply recognize the cultural significance of such Indian craftsmanship.”
The acknowledgment follows criticism from Indian social media users, artisans, and public officials who accused the brand of cultural appropriation and failing to credit the traditional origins of the design. The sandals were initially described by Prada as simple “leather sandals,” with no mention of their Indian roots, prompting public outrage.
The Kolhapuri chappals, known for their intricate handwork and historical significance, were awarded Geographical Indication (GI) status in 2019, protecting the design as intellectual property of India.
BJP MP Dhananjay Mahadik also took up the matter and accompanied a delegation of Kolhapuri artisans to meet Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, demanding protection of the chappal’s GI status and urging Prada to formally recognize its Indian origins.
In his response, Bertelli clarified that the designs are still at a conceptual stage, and not yet confirmed for production.
“The entire collection is currently at an early stage of design development and none of the pieces are confirmed to be produced or commercialized,” he stated.
He further added that Prada is open to dialogue and collaboration with local Indian artisan communities and welcomes further discussions on responsible cultural engagement.
MACCIA had urged Prada not only to acknowledge the source of inspiration but also to consider collaboration or fair compensation that would benefit the artisan communities whose legacy is being spotlighted on global runways.
As luxury fashion brands face increasing scrutiny over cultural sensitivity, Prada’s statement may signal a shift toward greater transparency and ethical collaboration with indigenous artisans.
Prada, Kolhapuri chappals, cultural appropriation, Indian artisans, luxury fashion controversy, Milan Fashion Week, Maharashtra artisans, Lorenzo Bertelli, MACCIA, GI status, traditional Indian footwear, fashion ethics, design plagiarism, global fashion news
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