Luxury brand explores craftsmanship behind iconic Kolhapuri chappals after design controversy sparks cultural appropriation debate
New Delhi: 17 July 2025
In a gesture that could signal the start of global collaboration, Pradaās footwear team visited Kolhapur this week to engage with the artisans behind Indiaās famed Kolhapuri chappals, following backlash over the brandās Spring/Summer 2025 sandals that closely resembled the traditional design.
The delegation, comprising four members, including Prada’s Footwear Production Director and Pattern-Making Manager, spent time at historical workshops like Inga Leather Works (founded 1902), and at women artisan clusters, observing hand-stitching, vegetable tanning, and intricate braiding that embodied a time-consuming ‘Detha Veni’ braiding stitch – the qualities that defined the craft for around a century.
The artisans also gifted pairs of āMauje Puda Kapshiā chappals to the team, presumably the form from which Prada drew its inspiration to create a ā¹1.2 lakh pair of sandals that sparked the first outrage. Local leaders, including District Collector Amol Yedge, acknowledged the emotional and cultural burden of the Kolhapuri identity, and the need to think about rightful recognition and cooperative participation.
Pradaās team purchased several handcrafted pairs and collected samples for further study, raising hopes among artisans for technical support and possible co-branded efforts. āIf we receive global support, Kolhapur can shine internationally,ā said Lalit Gandhi from the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce.
The controversy began after Indian craftsmen accused Prada of cultural appropriation, pointing to striking similarities between the luxury brandās product and the ā¹2,500 handmade Kolhapuri chappals. Prada has not yet issued an official statement on whether it will formally credit or collaborate with the artisans moving forward.
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