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 considerations of cultural appropriation.
The Italian luxurious style home has recognised and validated Kolhpauris‘ Indian connection, saying the design is “impressed” by the Indian handcrafted footwear. Nonetheless, they talked about that “the sandals featured within the males’s 2026 style 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.
A number of 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 style neighborhood in addition to conventional makers of Kolhapuri chappals in western Maharashtra. Artisans from Maharashtra had cried foul after footwear just like the well-known Kolhapuri chappals featured in Prada’s present, alleging violation of geographical identification (GI) rights.
“We acknowledge that the sandals featured within the latest Prada Males’s 2026 Trend 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 mentioned 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 could be very distinct and we wish our footwear to go to newer markets. Nevertheless it has to get the rightful recognition,” Gandhi had informed 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 satisfy Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging him to look into the violation and protect the product, which is an emblem of the state’s cultural heritage.
The chamber additionally sought exploration collaborations and truthful compensation to the artisans and in addition an adherence to moral style 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 alternate with native Indian artisan communities as we have now finished previously in different collections to make sure the rightful recognition of their craft,” Prada’s group head for company social duty, Lorenzo Bertelli, mentioned 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. Actually, 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 response to Shweta Navandar, affiliate professor, division of style communication, Pearl Academy, Mumbai, traditionally, Kolhapuris will 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. Nonetheless, it wasn’t till the twentieth century, below the rule of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur, that the footwear started to be broadly traded,” she informed 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 selection in the long term.