Prada has conceded that its newly unveiled sandals draw inspiration from Kolhapuri chappals, a traditional Indian footwear, following a wave of criticism. The luxury fashion house's Spring-Summer 2026 collection featured sandals that bore a striking resemblance to the iconic Kolhapuri chappals, handcrafted leather footwear originating from Maharashtra, India.
Initially, Prada referred to the footwear simply as "leather sandals" in their show notes, neglecting to acknowledge the cultural significance and origin of the design. This omission sparked outrage among fashion observers and advocates for traditional crafts.
Lalit Gandhi, President of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, publicly addressed the issue, emphasizing that Kolhapuri chappals are more than just साधारण sandals. They represent a rich cultural heritage and possess a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, recognizing their unique origin and craftsmanship since 2019.
Subsequently, Lorenzo Bertelli, head of Corporate Social Responsibility at the Prada Group, responded to the criticism with a letter to Gandhi. Bertelli acknowledged that the design was indeed inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, recognizing its "centuries-old heritage." He clarified that the collection is still in its initial design phase and has not yet entered production or retail.
Bertelli further expressed Prada's respect for Indian craftsmanship and indicated the company's interest in exploring opportunities for closer collaboration with local artisans in the future.
While Prada's acknowledgement is a welcome step, Gandhi emphasized the importance of proper credit and collaboration in cultural exchange within the fashion industry. It is crucial to recognize the origins of designs and support the communities that have preserved these traditions.
The incident highlights the ongoing need for greater awareness and ethical practices in the fashion world. Meaningful cultural exchange necessitates recognizing the heritage of traditional crafts and actively supporting the artisans who keep them alive, rather than simply appropriating their designs. If this situation leads to significant brands genuinely boosting traditional crafts as opposed to just repackaging them, it will likely represent one step in the right direction for the fashion industry.
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