After drawing criticism for featuring Kolhapuri-style slippers in its Milan Fashion Week show without proper attribution, luxury fashion house Prada has now taken a step to understand the roots of the iconic Indian footwear from its home. Yes, a team of senior Prada officials recently visited Kolhapur, the very birthplace of these heritage sandals.
Prada visits Kolhapur after recent controversy
On July 15, six senior members from Prada's footwear division, including Paolo Tiveron (Director, Men's Footwear Production), Daniele Contu (Pattern-Making Head), and designers Andrea and Roberto Pollastrelli, arrived in Kolhapur to learn firsthand about the craft behind the Kolhapuri chappal. Their visit included a stop at Jawahar Nagar, a hub for traditional chappal makers, where they interacted with local skilled artisans.
Lalit Gandhi from the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (MACCIA) told India Today, "A few days ago, Prada held a fashion show in Milan, Italy, where Kolhapuri slippers were featured. However, Prada described them merely as leather garments, without acknowledging their origin."
According to Gandhi, Prada assured MACCIA that this oversight would not be repeated. He added, "They promised to help give Kolhapuri slippers rightful recognition on a global scale."
What is Prada's Kolhapuri chappal controversy?
At this year's Milan Fashion Week, several looks from Prada's Spring/Summer 2026 collection featured leather slippers strikingly similar to Kolhapuris, priced at nearly Rs 1.2 lakh each. However, the brand failed to mention its origin, prompting backlash in India for cultural appropriation and ignoring the heritage behind the design.
The Kolhapuri chappal has held Geographical Indication (GI) status since 2019, marking its cultural and regional significance.
'Made in India' on the horizon
In response to the criticism, Prada has taken responsibility and is now considering turning the controversy into collaboration. Last week, the brand expressed interest in launching a special limited-edition "Made in India" Kolhapuri-inspired line, created in partnership with local Indian artisans.
The initiative would aim to promote responsible design practices and support the local craftsmanship community.
In a statement, Prada emphasised its commitment to "responsible design practices, fostering cultural engagement, and opening a dialogue for a meaningful exchange with local Indian artisan communities."
