At Milan Fashion Week, Prada unveiled a pair of open-toe leather sandals that quickly turned heads — not just on the runway, but thousands of kilometres away in India.
Social media users were quick to draw comparisons between the luxury design and India’s traditional Kolhapuri chappals — handcrafted leather sandals native to the western state of Maharashtra.
The backlash intensified as hundreds of Indians pointed out the striking resemblance to the Kolhapuri, a centuries-old design that was officially recognised by the Indian government in 2019 as native to the city of Kolhapur.
While Prada’s sandals reportedly carry a $1,200 price tag, authentic Kolhapuris can be found in Indian markets for as little as $10.
In response, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Dhananjay Mahadik led a delegation of local artisans to meet with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging government action.
“We want Prada to give the Kolhapuri identity to their product, and local artisans should get the revenue,” Mahadik told media.
“If Prada gives us orders, we can manufacture for them. The Kolhapuri brand will reach globally.”
The Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce also wrote to Prada chairperson Patrizio Bertelli, voicing the concerns of traditional sandal makers.
The Italian fashion house responded in a statement, acknowledging that the sandals were “inspired by the centuries-old Indian sandals” and expressed respect for the cultural heritage of Indian craftsmanship.
“Prada acknowledges that sandals inspired by traditional Indian footwear made in specific districts in Maharashtra and Karnataka, India, were featured in its Men’s 2026 Spring Summer show in Milan.”
The company added, “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.”
It is reported that Indian footwear sellers and artisans are capitalising on the nationalist sentiment fuelled by Prada’s sandal controversy, using the spotlight to boost sales of Kolhapuri slippers. The global attention has sparked a surge in demand over the past week, offering a potential lifeline to the struggling handmade footwear industry.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
