July 1, 2025: Prada’s in love with Kolhapuris, and so are we. Step into desi-luxe with these handcrafted chappals—perfect for everyday wear and runway flair.
You know a fashion piece is iconic when Prada decides to reimagine it and the humble Kolhapuri chappal just made that leap. Once a symbol of traditional Indian craft, these beautifully hand-cut flats are now walking global ramps and earning cult status.
Italian luxury fashion brand Prada has acknowledged being inspired by ‘traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage’ for its sandals featured in the recent Men’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection, after being slammed for failing to acknowledge the resemblance to India’s GI-tagged Kolhapuri chappals.
In a communication with Prada, representatives of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture stated that Prada was likely to send a team to investigate the possibility of working together on the product in the near future. Meanwhile, the business body has decided to patent the Kolhapuri chappals to avoid any infringement of rights in the future.
Two days after the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA) wrote to Patrizio Bertelli, chairperson of Prada’s Board of Directors, the company responded, “We deeply recognise the cultural significance of such Indian craftsmanship. Please be aware that none of the pieces have been confirmed to be produced or sold, and the entire collection is currently in an early stage of design development. We are committed to responsible design practices, fostering cultural engagement, and opening a dialogue for a meaningful exchange with local Indian artisan communities, as we have done in the past in other collections to ensure the rightful recognition of their craft. Prada strives to honor these specialized craftspeople, who represent an unparalleled standard of excellence and heritage, and recognize their value. Lorenzo Bertelli, head of corporate social responsibility for the Prada Group, wrote the letter to MACCIA president Lalit Gandhi on June 27, 2025. "Prada has now demonstrated morality. This has led to the acknowledgement of our traditional craft on a global platform. We had made three demands to them in the communication we had sent to them on June 25. According to Lalit Gandhi, president of MACCIA, who spoke to The Hindu from Kolhapur, "they were that Prada should publicly acknowledge the inspiration behind the design; they should explore the possibilities for collaboration or fair compensation that could benefit the artisan communities involved; and they should consider supporting ethical fashion practices that respect traditional knowledge and cultural rights." He said that the chamber is a 100-year-old body, and its goodwill in Europe and the U.S. helped it to receive an immediate acknowledgement from the global giant.
"Such a gesture would not only uphold ethical standards in global fashion, but also foster a meaningful exchange between heritage craftsmanship and contemporary design," the MACCIA letter to Prada stated. We trust that a brand of Prada’s stature and influence will take this concern in the right spirit and initiate a thoughtful response.”
Patent plan:
In order to prevent future global infringement, MACCIA has decided to patent the Kolhapuri chappals in collaboration with artisans and businesses. “The GI tag is given by the Indian government. It is not sufficient in the international market. Our goods must be protected by patents. This incident has opened our eyes. We now have our own separate wing. We will patent not just the Kolhapuri chappals, but also Kolhapur’s jaggery,” Mr. Gandhi said.
The Kolhapuri Chappal makers have also welcomed Prada’s acknowledgement, but have expressed an expectation that the brand should do more to help their trade.
“Everyone is blaming Prada for basing its designs on the Kolhapuri chappals. But I think they have done us a favour by taking our brand and making it global,” said Shivaraj Soudagar, who runs the Athani Kolhapuri chappal cluster, a micro industry that produces the footwear in Belagavi.
“Leaders and government officers are talking about taking Prada to court. But we would like them to help us improve our designs and sell them. I want Prada to be aware that the typical chappal maker in Athani, Nippani, or nearby villages like Madabhavi earns between 250 and 400 rupees per pair. The middlemen who transport those goods sell them for ?1,500 - ?2,000 in Pune and Mumbai. The retailer sells them for up to ?4,000 per pair. We would like a system where our goods are exported and the profits are shared with us. If the Italian company is selling them for over one lakh rupees, we would be happy even if we get 10% of that amount,” he said.
If you’re chasing that quiet luxury vibe or just want to honour your roots with flair, our Kolhapuri edit brings the best of both worlds from minimalist leather to embellished glam.