Prada Admits Kolhapuri Chappal Inspiration After Outrage And Official Nudge
Bowing to pressure after a week of intense backlash, Italian luxury fashion house Prada has formally acknowledged that sandals featured in its recent Men’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection were inspired by India’s iconic Kolhapuri chappals. The admission came in a formal statement to the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA), which had raised concerns about cultural appropriation.
The controversy erupted after several looks in Prada’s Milan Fashion Week showcase featured models wearing footwear that was unmistakably similar to the traditional Kolhapuri design, yet was described simply as “leather sandals” with no credit given to its Indian origin. This led to widespread outrage on social media and among artisan communities in Maharashtra.
In a letter to MACCIA, Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada’s group head for corporate social responsibility, stated, “We acknowledge that the sandals featured in the recent Prada Men’s 2026 Fashion Show are inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage. We deeply recognise the cultural significance of such Indian craftsmanship.”
However, the brand clarified that the designs are not yet finalised for sale. “Please note that, for now, the entire collection is currently at an early stage of design development and none of the pieces are confirmed to be produced or commercialised,” Bertelli added.
MACCIA had firmly, yet politely, reminded the global fashion giant of the cultural and economic importance of the footwear, which was granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in India in 2019. “Kolhapuri Chappals represent centuries-old craftsmanship rooted in the cultural fabric of Maharashtra… supporting the livelihoods of thousands of artisans,” MACCIA President Lalit Gandhi wrote in his letter. He urged Prada to go beyond inspiration and explore “collaboration or fair compensation that could benefit the artisan communities involved.”
Prada’s response has been seen as a step in the right direction. The luxury label expressed its commitment to “responsible design practices” and welcomed a dialogue with Indian artisans to ensure “rightful recognition of their craft.”
“We would welcome the opportunity for further discussion and will set a follow-up with the relevant Prada teams,” Bertelli’s statement concluded, opening the door for potential collaboration that MACCIA and other proponents of ethical fashion had called for.
