logo
Fashion veteran Sunil Sethi on Prada-Kolhapuri row: ‘We deserve acknowledgement'

Fashion veteran Sunil Sethi on Prada-Kolhapuri row: ‘We deserve acknowledgement'

India Today5 days ago
'India is the global flavour of the season,' Fashion Design Council of India's chairman Sunil Sethi proudly told India Today about the ongoing Prada-Kolhapuri debate.The Italian fashion giant, during Paris Fashion Week, presented a collection featuring Kolhapuri chappals - a GI-tagged Indian footwear craft - but without any acknowledgement of its roots. The craft originated in India, in the regions of Maharashtra and Karnataka, hundreds of years ago and continues to be a timeless style staple for both modern and traditional fashion enthusiasts. Prada, at the show, labelled them as mere 'leather sandals'.
India's Kolhapuri Chappal at Prada SS26 menswear show, but the luxury label initially called them just 'leather sandals'. (Photos: Prada)
advertisementPrada's move stood in stark contrast to Louis Vuitton, who celebrated India in more ways than one at their show in Paris, making our country the actual showstopper. After a major online uproar and also a formal nudge from the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA), Prada did eventually give Kolhapuris their due.
A Prada spokesperson eventually said, '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.'Nevertheless, digs from celebrities as well as the fashion world continue on the Prada-Kolhapuri row. Kareena Kapoor Khan and Neena Gupta recently took cheeky digs at Prada with their Instagram posts.As it goes on, Sethi told India Today that this season everyone is drawing inspiration from Indian craft and culture. 'We want that to continue, but we deserve acknowledgement,' the FDCI chairman said.'I'm not saying it's necessarily an IP infringement, but I do believe we deserve acknowledgement. If someone says, 'Yes, we were inspired by India or by Kolhapuris,' that's good enough for me. And Prada did admit to it. So, in a way, this controversy has actually brought more attention to Kolhapuris,' Sethi said.'They're more widely known now,' he added.Meanwhile, several reports suggest Prada will hold a meeting via video conferencing with office-bearers of the MACCIA and artisans on July 11. The luxury brand is expected to discuss a possible collaboration with Kolhapuri artisans, to explore possibilities of taking the Kolhapuri chappal to the global market.As for Sunil Sethi, he announced the 18th edition of Hyundai India Couture Week in New Delhi at a press conference held in the capital on Monday. The highly anticipated fashion extravaganza will begin on July 23 and feature 14 leading Indian designers including Tarun Tahiliani, Ritu Kumar, Rimzim Dadu and Manish Malhotra.
FDCI Chairman Sunil Sethi with participating designers at Hyundai India Couture Week 2025
Late designer Rohit Bal's eponymous label will also be a part of the coveted fashion week.- EndsTrending Reel
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Bharat Utsav lights up Moscow with colours of India
Bharat Utsav lights up Moscow with colours of India

Hans India

time12 minutes ago

  • Hans India

Bharat Utsav lights up Moscow with colours of India

Moscow's iconic Manezhnaya Square turned into a vibrant celebration of Indian culture as the Festival of India – Bharat Utsav continued to captivate audiences with its rich blend of dance, music, art, and spirituality. Held from July 5 to 13, the festival is jointly organised by the Indian Embassy in Russia and the Moscow government as part of the larger 'Summer in Moscow' initiative. The day began with a soulful start as devotional and patriotic songs resonated across the square, paying homage to India's spiritual and national heritage. The Indian Embassy in Russia shared glimpses on X (formerly Twitter), writing, 'A soulful start to the day with devotional and patriotic melodies in praise of Bharat. Spiritual hymns, Russian tributes and Hindi patriotic songs echoed a message of peace and pride. VikaasBhi, ViraasatBhi!' A major highlight of the festival has been its energetic dance performances. Paying tribute to Indian cinema, Bollywood-themed shows by dance troupes electrified the atmosphere with rhythm and colour. Cultural groups also showcased classical forms such as Kuchipudi, Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Odissi, and Singri, alongside regional songs in Tamil and Maithili. The JivanNritya Group's mesmerizing performance on the 'Family of Gods: Shiva, Parvati, and Ganesha' was particularly well-received. Manezhnaya Square has been transformed into an Indian cultural haven, complete with lush greenery, traditional décor, and relaxation zones designed to immerse visitors in Indian aesthetics. The grounds also host a bustling cultural fair, displaying local and Indian handicrafts such as ceramics, paintings, wooden carvings, and ethnic attire. Interactive elements like the 'Discover India' quiz offer attendees a chance to engage with Indian history and culture, while workshops and masterclasses provide hands-on experiences in Indian arts and traditions. Adding to the spiritual aspect of the event, a Raja Yoga meditation session introduced participants to the ancient Indian practice of mind control and self-realisation, promoting inner peace and mental wellness. Speaking about the growing fascination with Indian traditions in Russia, BulatNurmukhanov, Deputy Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, said, 'Interest in Indian culture among both Muscovites and city visitors remains exceptionally strong. This was evident during International Yoga Day at VDNKh which drew 7,000 participants. With Bharat Utsav, we present another large-scale cultural initiative that strengthens Indo-Russian ties.' He further noted that Indian participants had specially travelled to Moscow to share their culture, cuisine, and traditions, making the festival a global platform for cultural exchange. As part of the 'Summer in Moscow' project, Bharat Utsav joins over 1,000 festivals and events aimed at showcasing global cultures to Muscovites. With its vibrant fusion of heritage, performance, and participatory experiences, the Festival of India has not only brought a slice of India to Russia but also deepened the cultural bond between the two nations.

Metro In Dino budget is half of reported Rs 85 crore: Sources
Metro In Dino budget is half of reported Rs 85 crore: Sources

India Today

time13 minutes ago

  • India Today

Metro In Dino budget is half of reported Rs 85 crore: Sources

Anurag Basu's 'Metro... In Dino' has been slowly and steadily climbing up the box office chart. In eight days, the film has collected Rs 32.10 crore (nett), as it battles for screens against premium shows of Hollywood hits like 'F1', 'Jurassic Park', and 'Superman'. While the makers are satisfied with the film's sincere performance, social media has been abuzz about its supposed mega-budget and how the earnings are only a fraction of sources close to the film told India Today that contrary to reports suggesting a budget of Rs 85–100 crore, 'Metro... In Dino' was actually made on a modest scale of Rs 40 crore. And hence the film is already set to overcome its cost in another few days.''Metro... In Dino' was made on a modest budget. The production cost was around Rs 40 crore, and around another seven crore was spent on print and advertising. It was always meant to be a heartfelt, grounded story. The focus was never on scale, but on telling something real and relatable,' a source close to the film shared with us. In its second Saturday, the film has managed to sustain its momentum and is expected to add around Rs 3.5 crore to the total earnings. The trend so far indicates healthy growth, especially in urban centres. After 'Sitaare Zameen Par', 'Metro... In Dino' is another intimate and heartfelt story that seems to be finding its audience through the power of Gianchandani, Chief of Business Planning and Strategy at PVR INOX Limited, shared in a statement that it's encouraging to see audiences returning to cinemas for a film driven purely by strong storytelling and emotional depth. 'The growing footfall at theatres has boosted box office business and underlines the demand for well-crafted content. 'Metro... In Dino' is touted to be one of the successful films of 2025,' he said.'Metro... In Dino' offers a fresh take on modern relationships and is being appreciated for its realistic portrayal of characters, especially women. Backed by Bhushan Kumar's T-Series, the multi-starrer romantic drama features Ali Fazal, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sara Ali Khan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Pankaj Tripathi, Konkona Sensharma, Neena Gupta, and Anupam Kher, among others.- EndsTrending Reel

The Great Indian Kapil Show: KPop star Jackson Wang says this is his 'last visit' to India and opens up on his experience on visiting Indian clubs
The Great Indian Kapil Show: KPop star Jackson Wang says this is his 'last visit' to India and opens up on his experience on visiting Indian clubs

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

The Great Indian Kapil Show: KPop star Jackson Wang says this is his 'last visit' to India and opens up on his experience on visiting Indian clubs

K-pop sensation Jackson Wang brought his signature charm to The Great Indian Kapil Show , but not before dropping a dramatic twist — he might never return to India again. Why? According to the singer-rapper, his recent club-hopping adventure across the country left him feeling practically invisible. Yes, you read that right. Despite being a global superstar, Wang says Indian partygoers barely acknowledged him, and the comment quickly became the emotional (and hilarious) highlight of the episode. The latest episode of the popular Netflix show was a star-studded affair, featuring actors Vijay Varma, Jaideep Ahlawat, Pratik Gandhi, and Jitendra Kumar alongside Kapil Sharma. The actors opened up about their early life, jobs before fame, and the ups and downs of stardom. The casual banter and unfiltered anecdotes kept the audience entertained — until things took a global turn. Towards the end of the show, Kapil brought out special guest Jackson Wang, and the vibe instantly shifted. Jackson lit up the stage with his energy, even teaching the actors some dance moves. When Pratik Gandhi shouted 'Arey, ye to Garba hai!' mid-routine, the whole set burst into laughter — adding a desi touch to the international crossover. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Private Jet - The Prices May Surprise You! Private Jet I Search Ads Learn More Undo Wang's experience in Indian clubs But the real shocker came when Kapil asked Wang about his Indian fanbase. While Kapil insisted that Indian girls are obsessed with him, Wang humorously disagreed. He shared that during this second trip to India, he visited three clubs — and no one noticed him. He said that he walks and people look through me. He further added that people only ever asked him for autographs for their friends, never for themselves. Jackson went on to joke, 'Maybe this is my last visit to India. I am so sad.' The crowd was stunned, but Kapil wasn't having it. In a sweet moment of redemption, he asked the live audience to raise their hands if they were Jackson Wang fans — and almost every hand went up. Still unconvinced, the K-pop idol quipped, 'Very good actors.' Despite the light-hearted disappointment, Jackson's time on the show ended on a high note. He joined the actors and Kapil for a lively performance, proving that even if the clubs didn't recognise him, the TGIKS set sure knew how to celebrate him.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store