Kolhapuri chappal row: Prada arrives in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur to visit artisanss
A team from Italian luxury house Prada visited Maharashtra’s Kolhapur on Tuesday to engage with the local artisans and study the region’s footwear-making methods, days after the brand faced backlash for allegedly appropriating the famed Kolhapuri chappals.
Four members from the technical team, including Prada’s heads of footwear design and external consultants, visited the city. “They toured the Kolhapuri chappal manufacturing cluster, observed the production process, and held discussions with local artisans," said Lalit Gandhi, president of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture, told PTI.
Gandhi further added, “Our chappals are handmade and rooted in tradition. The team will now submit a report to its corporate office, and based on that, senior officials from Prada may visit Kolhapur in the next phase.” Gandhi views Prada’s visit as instrumental and indicates that a serious interest has been taken by the brand. The team also toured the retail market area in Kolhapur and interacted with shopkeepers.
The Kolhapuri chappal issue emerged when Prada displayed an uncredited appearance of the footwear on their models during the 2026 Spring Summer show in Milan late July. Backlash emerged against the brand, which marketed them as “toe-ring sandals”.
Prada issued an apology on their social media and acknowledged the true origins of the footwear. “Prada acknowledges that sandals inspired by traditional Indian footwear are made in specific districts in Maharashtra and Karnataka, India... We are committed to responsible design practices, fostering cultural engagement, and opening a dialogue for a meaningful exchange with local Indian artisan communities... We are in contact with the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce on this topic,” they wrote.
“Once we noticed the design on the runway, we raised an objection and asked them to acknowledge its origins. They responded to us via email, accepting that the theme was inspired by Kolhapuri chappals,” Gandhi added.
High Court dismisses PIL against Prada
On Wednesday, the Bombay High Court dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) against Prada for their use of Kolhapuri chappal at the Milan runway. Filed by five Pune-based lawyers, the court questioned the locus and statutory rights of the advocates, who were not the proprietors or owners of the footwear.
The plea had said the Kolhapuri chappal (sandals) is protected as a Geographical Indication (GI) under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act. The court dismissed the same and said that a detailed order would be passed later.
Lifestyle