Footwear Fiasco: Prada’s Controversial Sandal Launch
At Milan Style Week on June 22, 2025, Prada unveiled its Spring-Summer season 2026 menswear assortment, together with a minimalist “leather-based footwear” design that bore an uncanny resemblance to India’s iconic Kolhapuri chappal—and ignited a world uproar inside hours.
These slipper-style sandals, with their braided T-strap design, instantly caught international consideration, not for his or her luxurious enchantment, however for his or her hanging similarity to India’s iconic Kolhapuri chappals, a handcrafted leather-based sandal with a centuries-old heritage rooted in Kolhapur, Maharashtra.
Why Did They Go Viral?
The sandals went viral nearly immediately, however not for the explanations Prada may need hoped. Social media platforms, significantly X and Instagram, exploded with reactions as customers acknowledged the design as practically equivalent to Kolhapuri chappals, a cultural staple worn by everybody from farmers to city millennials in India.
Posts on X referred to as out Prada for what many noticed as a “shameless money seize,” with one person, @WokePandemic, noting that Kolhapuris, bought domestically for ₹300-₹1,500 ($4-$18), have been being rebranded as luxurious gadgets doubtlessly priced at ₹1.2 lakh ($1,400). One other submit by @thebetterindia highlighted the artisans’ battle, stating, “These iconic sandals, handmade in Maharashtra for hundreds of years, inform tales of custom, resilience, and royalty. But, artisans nonetheless battle low earnings and fading recognition.”
The viral outrage was fueled by memes, sarcastic feedback, and hashtags akin to #KolhapuriChappals, which amplified the controversy over cultural appropriation.
The Controversy: Cultural Appropriation or Impressed Design?
Design Resemblance
Kolhapuri chappals, crafted for the reason that twelfth century by artisans from marginalized communities just like the Dalit Chamar, function intricate braided leather-based straps and toe loops. Prada’s sandals mirrored this aesthetic, all the way down to the braiding sample, however omitted any acknowledgment of their Indian origins, prompting accusations of design theft.
Awarded Geographical Indication (GI) standing in 2019, Kolhapuris are protected in India, however as IP professional Sonal Madan notes, this provides no worldwide enforcement, leaving artisans weak to international manufacturers.
Cultural Appropriation Debate
The controversy reignited a broader dialogue: the place is the road between cultural inspiration and appropriation? Cultural appropriation, as outlined by style historian Swati Sharma, happens when “parts of tradition, significantly these of traditionally oppressed or colonized societies, are adopted by dominant teams with out consent, attribution, or compensation.”
Prada’s preliminary silence on the Kolhapuri inspiration was seen as exploitative, particularly since artisans earn ₹250-₹400 ($3-$5) per pair whereas luxurious manufacturers revenue considerably.
Indian designer Ritu Beri emphasised, “It’s about moral recognition. India should push for royalty-sharing and co-branding.” Some, like artisan Shivaraj Soudagar, noticed a silver lining, noting that Prada’s highlight may globalize the craft, however provided that artisans are pretty compensated. Others, together with BJP MP Dhananjay Mahadik, referred to as it a “severe infringement on Maharashtra’s cultural identification,” demanding authorized motion.
Public Response
The backlash was swift and multifaceted. On X, customers like @folkloristan posted, “No @prada – these aren’t ‘leather-based sandals’ – it is a kolapuri. You don’t get to look down upon our traditions, solely to repackage them.” Style watchdog Weight-reduction plan Sabya shared runway footage, critiquing Western manufacturers’ historical past of appropriating Indian designs.
Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan additionally jumped into the dialog, amplifying it far past the style bubble. She posted a photograph of her personal conventional Kolhapuri chappals on Instagram with the caption:
“Sorry not Prada…however my OG Kolhapuri.”
The cheeky submit shortly went viral, garnering hundreds of likes and feedback praising her for standing up for Indian artisans. As ABP Stay reported, Kareena’s nod was broadly interpreted as each a cultural clapback and a reminder that genuine Kolhapuris are nonetheless a part of on a regular basis Indian life, with out the posh markup.
Cultural historians and journalists weighed in, with Kanika Gahlaut noting that whereas Prada’s actions lacked authorized grounds for infringement, they raised “moral points” by not initially crediting the supply. The human rights group Dalit Voice underscored the sandals’ significance as “a legacy of Dalit craftsmanship and resilience,” amplifying requires respect.
In the meantime, memes mocked the value disparity, with one viral submit quipping, “Prada’s promoting my dad’s sandals for ₹1.2 lakh!”
For shoppers who view luxurious as an expression of their values, this controversy serves as a poignant reminder that provenance and authenticity are simply as necessary as design.
Prada’s Response
Going through mounting stress, Prada issued a response on June 27, 2025, via Lorenzo Bertelli, head of company social duty. In a letter to the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Business, and Agriculture (MACCIA), Bertelli acknowledged that the sandals have been “impressed by conventional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage.”
He clarified that the design was nonetheless in growth and never but commercialized, including, “We’re dedicated to accountable design practices, fostering cultural engagement, and opening a dialogue with native Indian artisan communities.”
MACCIA president Lalit Gandhi praised the transfer. Nonetheless, artisans like Prabha Satpute remained cautious, telling BBC Marathi, “They need to be named after Kolhapur. Don’t exploit our labor.”
Prada’s Path Ahead: A Collaborative Capsule Assortment
In a major step ahead, Prada introduced on July 11, 2025, plans to launch a limited-edition “Made in India” Kolhapuri-inspired sandal assortment in collaboration with Maharashtra artisans, following a digital assembly with MACCIA. The gathering will adjust to GI-tag necessities and goals to raise Maharashtra’s cultural heritage globally. A Prada technical group will go to Maharashtra the week of July 14, 2025, to work with over 3,000 artisans, specializing in cultural recognition, moral sourcing, honest commerce, co-branded growth, information trade, coaching, talent growth, design innovation, sustainability, and cross-border residencies.
Prada can be exploring partnerships for Paithani weaving, Himroo textiles, Bichwas/Payal (anklets), and regional embroidery, signaling a broader dedication to Indian crafts. MACCIA president Lalit Gandhi referred to as this a “paradigm shift for Indian craftsmanship.”
The partnership addresses accusations of cultural appropriation by involving artisans straight, guaranteeing honest compensation and cultural recognition. It additionally units a precedent for luxurious manufacturers to interact authentically with conventional crafts.
The West’s Longstanding Fascination with Indian Heritage
Prada’s Kolhapuri controversy would be the newest flashpoint. Nonetheless, it’s hardly the primary time European luxurious homes have mined Indian tradition for artistic inspiration—typically with little greater than a passing nod to their sources. Over the previous 20 years, Indian motifs, textiles, and symbols have ceaselessly appeared on runways, in campaigns, and high-profile collaborations. Listed here are just some examples that underscore this persistent sample:
Throughout Pharrell Williams’ second menswear present, staged on Paris’ oldest bridge, the model unveiled a playful miniature autorickshaw bag—full with three wheels and a tiny roof. A ₹35 lakh bag formed like an auto—a stark distinction between affordability and luxurious pricing. Whereas some praised it as a tribute to Indian avenue tradition, others criticized it as an costly novelty that lowered a well-known a part of each day Indian life to a collectible prop. You might purchase 15 actual auto-rickshaws for that worth,’ quip netizens.
Maria Grazia Chiuri offered a shimmering, mukaish-embroidered lengthy coat, echoing the standard metal-thread embellishment perfected by artisans in Lucknow. Regardless of the craftsmanship on show, the gathering provided minimal credit score or context in regards to the heritage approach, sparking quiet discontent amongst textile specialists.
Over time, Gaultier has included saree-inspired drapes, turbans, bindis, and sherwani jackets into his couture traces, describing them as celebrations of “unique attract.” Whereas undeniably theatrical, these collections typically handled Indian tradition as a stylistic flourish somewhat than a residing custom.
- John Galliano (Dior, early 2000s):
Galliano’s collections drew closely on Mughal silhouettes, together with empire-waist tunics and lavish brocades harking back to the royal courts of India. Although visually beautiful, the designs not often credited their subcontinental origins.
- Karl Lagerfeld (Chanel, 2012):
Chanel’s Métiers d’Artwork assortment was staged in Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace Resort, that includes fashions in Nehru-collar jackets and sari-inspired drapes. Regardless of the grand setting, mentions of Indian embroiderers and artisans remained relegated to tiny footnotes within the press somewhat than receiving front-and-center acknowledgment.
This recurring fascination displays an advanced reality: Indian heritage has turn out to be a wealthy supply of visible language for luxurious style, but native communities are not often full members within the earnings or storytelling.
In lots of of those circumstances, manufacturers have provided restricted transparency about sourcing, compensation, or collaboration, fueling the argument that what is commonly billed as a cultural trade can look suspiciously like extraction wearing luxurious packaging.
As designer Shirin Mann noticed:
“It’s time for manufacturers to understand that referencing a tradition comes with a duty to credit score and uplift the individuals who formed it.”
Broader Dialogue: Inspiration vs. Appropriation
Prada’s Kolhapuri controversy isn’t a one-off. It’s half of a bigger, persistent sample in international style, the place inspiration blurs into exploitation. Right here’s the way it stacks up:
Excessive-Profile Circumstances of Alleged Cultural Appropriation in Luxurious Style:
Dior (2019)
- Impressed piece: A group modeled after the apparel of Mexican escaramuzas (horsewomen).
- Controversy: Launched with out credit score or collaboration with Mexican artisans. Native designers accused Dior of exoticizing a residing custom.
- Response: Dior later partnered with artisans in Chiapas, however solely after public outcry.
Isabel Marant (2015)
- Impressed piece: A shirt design matching the standard embroidery of Mexico’s Mixe neighborhood.
- Controversy: The shirt intently resembled Mixe patterns protected beneath Mexican regulation. Marant initially claimed originality earlier than admitting “inadvertent” borrowing.
- Response: The Mexican authorities took authorized steps, pushing for worldwide craft protections.
Gucci (2018)
- Impressed piece: Turban-style headwear bought as “Indy Full Turban.”
- Controversy: Sikh communities protested, citing deep spiritual symbolism. Critics slammed the sale of sacred cultural identification as trendwear.
- Response: Gucci pulled the product and issued an apology.
Victoria’s Secret (2012)
- Impressed piece: A runway costume that includes Native American struggle bonnets.
- Controversy: The headdress is sacred in lots of Indigenous tribes, not a style prop.
- Response: The model issued a public apology and lower the look from the printed.
Prada’s Pradamalia Blackface Controversy (2018)
The Kolhapuri sandal scandal echoes previous controversies for Prada—most notably its 2018 Pradamalia collectible figurines, which have been pulled after public outcry over their resemblance to blackface imagery.
- In December 2018, Prada got here beneath intense international scrutiny after launching a vacation window show at its SoHo retailer in New York Metropolis, that includes small collectible figurines and keychains from its Pradamalia assortment. The gadgets—meant to be whimsical, fictional creatures—have been half of a bigger marketing campaign that includes monkey-like characters with darkish brown faces and outsized crimson lips.
Though the model later shaped a Range Council, critics argue that the most recent appropriation controversy reveals systemic points that stay unresolved.
The Kolhapuri Case in Context
- Financial Disparity: Whereas Prada priced its sandals over ₹1.2 lakh (~$1,300), precise Kolhapuris made by Indian artisans promote for as little as ₹600 ($7), typically with razor-thin margins.
Declining Craftsmanship: In keeping with The Indian Specific, solely 15,000–20,000 artisans stay within the Kolhapuri ecosystem, down from over 100,000 in previous a long time. Craft survival is threatened not simply by appropriation but in addition by:
- Cow safety legal guidelines (since 2014) have constrained leather-based availability.
- Rising uncooked materials prices.
- Restricted youth curiosity in pursuing conventional crafts.
- Authorized Loopholes: India’s Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Kolhapuris (awarded in 2019) provides home safety however lacks worldwide enforcement.
As IP professional Sonal Madan notes, this leaves artisans weak on the worldwide stage. The PIL in opposition to Prada within the Bombay Excessive Court docket could set a precedent, however enforcement overseas stays murky.
Wishful Considering: As per the most recent information there was a authorized fallout
Prada Denies GI Violation in ₹500 Crore Row
As international scrutiny mounted, Prada denied infringing on the Geographical Indication (GI) rights of Kolhapuri chappals, claiming their sandals have been an unbiased design.
However visible similarities and 0 acknowledgment of Indian craftsmanship have critics calling foul. The talk has moved past regulation to ethics.
And this isn’t nearly social media backlash:
- A ₹500 crore authorized discover has reportedly been served, as per The Financial Occasions.
- The posh world is being requested to reply for an extended historical past of cherry-picking tradition with out crediting its creators.
A World Push to Decolonize Style
From Prada’s Kolhapuri-inspired sandals to Dior’s mukaish embroidery and Louis Vuitton’s autorickshaw bag, luxurious style’s flirtation with cultural motifs is nothing new. However the message is loud and clear: surface-level homage is not sufficient.
The way forward for style calls for greater than aesthetic appropriation. It requires:
- Clear sourcing and design narratives
- Honest compensation for artisans
- Collaborations that co-credit cultural origins
As Lalit Gandhi, president of the Kolhapuri Footwear Affiliation, instructed The Hindu:“Cultural trade in style is nice, but it surely has to come back with correct credit score and collaboration.”
Designer Shirin Mann agrees—however sees a silver lining:
“If this sparks pleasure and demand domestically, it is perhaps the highlight Kolhapuris wanted.”
What we’re witnessing is a shift—from blind status to acutely aware provenance. For luxurious manufacturers to stay related, moral storytelling isn’t a advertising angle. It’s a mandate.
Prada’s Turning Level: What Occurs Subsequent?
This second isn’t about harm management—it’s about defining Prada’s legacy.
Key questions to look at:
- Repeat Offender? From Pradamalia’s blackface backlash to this, is Prada displaying a sample—or studying from previous errors?
- Speak vs. Motion: Empty statements gained’t lower it. Customers are demanding co-branded Kolhapuri releases, formal royalties, and public acknowledgment of affect.
- Shifting Public Sentiment: Social platforms have moved from outrage to organized calls for—hashtags now name for accountability, transparency, and compensation.
Will Prada Lead or Lag?
Actual change means:
- Royalties on the document
- Clear “impressed by” tags
- Artisan-led collaborations with equal billing
And if Prada doesn’t step up? Customers have energy. Vote along with your pockets. Help manufacturers that pay their muses, not simply revenue from them.
As a result of let’s face it—luxurious with out ethics is out of style.
At The Luxurious Closet: Style Meets Integrity
In an age of accountability, each model should reply a easy set of questions:
- Who advantages from this design?
- Who’s being erased?
- Who earnings from this tradition?
At The Luxurious Closet, fashion ought to include substance. Every bit we stock tells a narrative of expertise, heritage, and authenticity. We don’t simply authenticate merchandise. We respect the palms that made them.
So, as the style world confronts its blind spots, select correctly.
As a result of provenance isn’t a development—it’s the brand new customary of status.
Escalating the Debate: From Kolhapuri to Punjabi Jutti
Simply because the Kolhapuri sandal firestorm started to simmer, a brand new one got here from its pipeline to add gas—Prada’s newest design mirrors the Punjabi jutti, one other iconic Indian silhouette. This revelation broadened the cultural appropriation debate, spotlighting how Indian craftsmanship continues to be mined for luxurious inspiration—typically with out due credit score or profit.
Prada’s response? The model denied infringing on the Kolhapuri GI tag and claimed its design was merely “impressed.” But in style, “inspiration” with out attribution is a slippery slope. Many now see this not as a single fake pas, however a part of a luxurious playbook that borrows from heritage with out paying homage.
Prada did announce an intention to “work with Indian artisans,” however public sentiment stays skeptical. What folks need isn’t simply symbolic gestures—they need tangible steps: royalties, artisan-led collaborations, equal credit score.
Will Prada Lead or Lag?
This isn’t about sandals. It’s about programs.
If Prada genuinely needs to guide ethically, right here’s what that appears like:
- Royalties on the document
- Clear labeling of “impressed by” collections
- True collaboration, the place artisans aren’t footnotes—they’re entrance and heart
In the event that they don’t? Customers nonetheless maintain the facility. Vote along with your pockets. Select manufacturers that uplift, not extract.
