Prada admits Kolhapuri chappals inspired footwear collection after backlash

Prada has acknowledged that its Spring/Summer 2026 men's footwear line was inspired by India's traditional Kolhapuri chappals, following backlash over lack of credit to the original artisans

Days after featuring footwear inspired by India's iconic Kolhapuri chappals in its Milan show, luxury brand Prada finally acknowledged its source of inspiration. The brand on Saturday conceded that footwear showcased in its Spring/Summer 2026 menswear line was inspired by India’s traditional Kolhapuri chappals, named for the Maharashtrian city where they were first made.

 

Kolhapuri chappals were the inspiration behind the footwear featured in the Milan show, the Italian luxury label said, according to a report by the Press Trust of India.

 

The admission comes amid a growing backlash in India, where both officials and artisans accused Prada of cultural appropriation and overlooking the heritage behind the handmade leather slippers. The footwear, presented at Milan Fashion Week, closely resembled Kolhapuri chappals — traditional leather flip-flops with a toe-strap made for generations by artisans in Maharashtra and Karnataka that firmed up its name-recognition after being featured in a '70s Amitabh Bachchan film.

 

Prada responds to online backlash

In a letter addressed to Lalit Gandhi, president of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA), Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group’s head of corporate social responsibility (CSR), wrote: “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.” 

 

Earlier this week, BJP MP Dhananjay Mahadik led a delegation of Kolhapuri chappal artisans to meet Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The delegation submitted a letter calling for steps to protect the product’s Geographical Indication (GI) rights and ensure the cultural significance of the footwear is upheld.

'Designs not finalised for production'

In its reply, Prada also clarified that the designs are still under development: “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.”

 

The brand added: “We are committed to responsible design practices, fostering cultural engagement, and opening a dialogue for a meaningful exchange with local Indian artisan communities.”

 

Meanwhile, Bertelli also expressed interest in further talks: “We would welcome the opportunity for further discussion and will set a follow-up with the relevant Prada teams.”

Prada commits to heritage recognition

Bertelli closed his letter by stating: “Prada strives to pay homage and recognise the value of such specialised craftspeople that represent an unrivalled standard of excellence and heritage.”

 

He reaffirmed the brand’s willingness to engage further: “We would welcome the opportunity for further discussion and will set a follow-up with the relevant Prada teams.”

 

Previously, on June 23, MACCIA had written to Prada after the Milan show, criticising the brand for showcasing sandals labelled only as “leather sandals” with no reference to their Indian origins. It stated: “It has come to public attention that the collection includes footwear designs that bear a close resemblance to Kolhapuri Chappals (Footwear), a traditional handcrafted leather sandal that has been awarded Geographical Indication (GI) status by the Government of India in 2019.”

Symbol of cultural identity

In his letter, Gandhi highlighted the cultural and economic significance of Kolhapuri chappals: “Kolhapuri Chappals represent centuries-old craftsmanship rooted in the cultural fabric of Maharashtra, India. These products are not only symbolic of regional identity, but they also support the livelihoods of thousands of artisans and families in the Kolhapur region and surrounding districts.”

 

Gandhi also urged Prada to acknowledge its source of inspiration and explore ways to support the artisans: “While we appreciate global fashion houses drawing inspiration from diverse cultures, we are concerned that this particular design appears to have been commercialised without due acknowledgment, credit, or collaboration with the artisan communities who have preserved this heritage through generations.”

 

He added: “We kindly urge Prada to acknowledge the inspiration behind the design publicly, explore possibilities for collaboration or fair compensation that could benefit the artisan communities involved and consider supporting ethical fashion practices that respect traditional knowledge and cultural rights.”