From Nehru jackets to turbans, cummerbunds to dupattas, international trend has integrated items integral to Indian tradition in its temper boards and lookbooks—typically with out giving due credit score and recognition. The newest to take action is Italian luxurious model Prada, whose Spring Summer time 2026 Males’s assortment dropped Kolhapuri-esque footwear, a lot to our distaste.
Because the fashions strutted down the runway, the quintessential Kolhapuri chappal on their toes caught the Web’s consideration, with individuals expressing outrage over yet one more factor of Indian trend being borrowed with out correct acknowledgement.
Movie star stylist Anaita Shroff Adajania took to social media to reshare a video of the runway present, reiterating that what Prada had their fashions showcase on the ramp was nothing however a pair of fine previous Kolhapuri chappals.
Anaita Adajania Shroff’s Instagram story (Supply: Insatgram/@anaitaadajaniashroff)
Following her footsteps, digital creator and trend critic Weight loss program Sabya posted their ideas on Instagram: “To not be that nagging aunty however are we prepared for a Prada Kolhapuri that’ll price us £1,000 a pair? And that’ll be “Trend” as a result of Europeans will abruptly begin carrying it. Fairly attention-grabbing if you concentrate on it.”
In line with them, the market has lately skilled a shift from ‘Made in France and Italy’ merchandise (hailed because the benchmark of high quality) to ‘Made in India’ ones offered with a European label and identify. “All that embroidery, all that artisanal flex, all produced in India. At all times has been,” they added.
Netizens are cut up over the current launch, taking to feedback to precise their unfiltered views and reactions. Whereas some drew parallels to its similarity again dwelling, stating ‘Grandpa used to have the identical chappal’ and ‘THE CHAPPAL GOES GLOBAL’, others weren’t fairly so glad. Statements equivalent to “How simply manufacturers take away the OG identification and assume it’s okay to try this … Guts” to “These joggers are at each road vendor in Delhi’s Lajpat, Sarojini, Karol Bagh, and so forth markets 😮💨for ₹150-300 🥲,” and “Sarojini went worldwide,” have been frequent appearances within the feedback part.
Fashions strolling for Prada’s SS’26 Males’s assortment (Supply: Instagram/@nikhilmansata)
What are Kolhapuri chappals?
Hailing from the standard Maharashtrian metropolis of Kolhapur, these slip-on chappals are handcrafted from premium high quality leather-based by expert artisans who’ve been at it for generations. In line with a weblog publish by Korakari Kolhapur Chappals, these footwear are constructed to final, and their sturdiness and unmatched consolation make them a favorite among the many Indian crowd. In reality, when you bypass their break-in interval, these slippers take the form of the wearer’s toes over time and supply a customized match.
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Kolhapuri chappals should not simply footwear—they’re a bit 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, weathering rain and storm, making them a sustainable and cost-effective alternative in the long term.