Prada acknowledges Kolhapuri inspiration after backlash

Luxury fashion house Prada has officially admitted its Spring/Summer 2026 sandals were inspired by India’s Kolhapuri chappals after massive backlash.

Transcript

00:00Italian fashion house Prada faced global criticism after its spring-summer

00:042026 menswear show in Milan featured sandals strikingly similar to India's

00:08traditional Kolhapuri chappals, priced at around 1.2 lakh rupees,

00:13while the artisan-made originals cost just 300 to 1500 rupees.

00:17Outrage on social media and among Indian artisans prompted the

00:20Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce to file a formal complaint.

00:24They highlighted the sandals' geographical indication tag and demanded

00:27recognition, collaboration and fair compensation.

00:31Responding to the backlash on June 28, 2025, Prada officially confirmed

00:35the sandals were inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear

00:39and committed to engaging with local artisans through dialogue and future collaborations.

00:44Leaders like Sharad Bawar and Shambhaji Rajya Chhatrapati called the move

00:47daylight robbery, urging patent protections for Kolhapuri designs to prevent exploitation.

00:53This controversy underscored a global fashion challenge, where cultural appropriation

00:57and ethical recognition collide.

00:59As high-end brands borrow from indigenous crafts, questions about respect, credit and compensation

01:05remain.

01:06Will Prada's acknowledgement lead to meaningful partnerships or be just another momentary apology?