After uproar, Prada plans ‘Made In India' footwear collection
The Italian luxury brand sparked controversy two weeks ago after unveiling open-toe ethnic sandals during a Milan fashion show, which bore a strong resemblance to Kolhapuri chappals — traditional footwear named after the historic city of Kolhapur in Maharashtra state.
After photos from the show went viral, Indian artisans criticized the brand for not acknowledging the origins of the design. Facing growing pressure, Prada admitted late last month that the sandals were inspired by ancient Indian styles.
The uproar fueled a surge in demand for authentic Indian sandals, with artisans and sellers viewing the controversy as an opportunity to showcase the traditional craft and tap into a wave of national pride.
Prada said it held a virtual meeting on Friday with the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, which represents around 3,000 Kolhapuri sandal artisans, to explore potential collaboration opportunities.
'The next step will be for Prada's supply chain team to meet with a range of artisanal footwear manufacturers,' the company stated.
The Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce confirmed that Lorenzo Bertelli—head of corporate social responsibility at Prada and son of the company's owners—participated in the meeting.
During the discussions, Prada reportedly expressed interest in launching a limited-edition, "Made in India" collection of Kolhapuri-inspired sandals in collaboration with Indian artisans.
While India's luxury market remains relatively small, it is expanding, with wealthy consumers increasingly spending on high-end fashion, luxury cars, and expensive watches.
Prada currently does not operate any retail stores in India, and its products are generally accessible only to affluent Indian shoppers purchasing goods abroad.
The sandal controversy generated days of debate on social media, with critics, artisans, and Indian politicians calling on Prada to give proper credit to India's rich heritage.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Kuwait Times
4 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
India orders its airlines to check fuel switches on Boeing planes
Pilot groups reject claims of human error in Air India crash • S Korea to order fuel switch check NEW DELHI: India on Monday ordered its airlines to examine fuel switches on several Boeing models, while South Korea said it would order a similar measure, as scrutiny intensified of fuel switch locks at the centre of an investigation into a deadly Air India crash. The moves by India and South Korea came despite the planemaker and the US Federal Aviation Administration telling airlines and regulators in recent days that the fuel switch locks on Boeing jets are safe. The locks have come under scrutiny following last month's crash of an Air India jet, which killed 260 people. A preliminary report found that the switches had almost simultaneously flipped from run position to cutoff shortly after takeoff. The report noted a 2018 advisory from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which recommended, but did not mandate, operators of several Boeing models including the 787 to inspect the locking feature of fuel cutoff switches to ensure they could not be moved accidentally. India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation said it had issued an order to investigate locks on several Boeing models including 787s and 737s, after several Indian and international airlines began making their own inspections of fuel switches. The regulator oversees the world's third-largest and fastest-growing aviation market and its move raises the stakes for Boeing, whose aircraft are used by three of the country's four largest airlines. A spokesperson for the South Korean transport ministry said checks there were in line with the 2018 advisory from the FAA, but did not give a timeline for them. Meanwhile, two major commercial pilots' associations have rejected claims human error caused an Air India crash that killed 260 people after a preliminary investigation report found the plane's engine fuel switches had been turned off. The report, issued Saturday by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), did not offer any conclusions or apportion blame for the June 12 disaster, but indicated that one pilot asked the other why he cut off fuel, and the second pilot responded that he had not. No more detail about the cockpit dialogue between the pilots was revealed. The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) said it was 'deeply disturbed by speculative narratives... particularly the reckless and unfounded insinuation of pilot suicide.' Boeing referred Reuters' questions to the FAA, which was not immediately available to comment outside regular hours. The company's shares were up 1.4 percent in US premarket trading. Some other global airlines were weighing their own inspections or had begun their own checks. In a statement, Japan's JAL said safety was its top priority, adding, 'We are closely monitoring the investigation into the incident and will implement any necessary inspections based on its findings.' Over the weekend, Air India Group started checking the locking mechanism on the fuel switches of its Boeing 787 and 737 fleets and has discovered no problems yet, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters. About half the group's 787s have been inspected and nearly all its 737s, the source added, speaking on condition of anonymity. Inspections were set to be completed in the next day or two. On Sunday, citing a document and sources, Reuters reported that the planemaker and the FAA had privately issued notifications to airlines and regulators that the fuel switch locks on Boeing planes were safe and checks were not required. The Air India crash preliminary report said the airline had not carried out the FAA's suggested inspections as the FAA's 2018 advisory was not a mandate. It also said maintenance records showed that the throttle control module, which includes the fuel switches, was replaced in 2019 and 2023 on the plane involved in the crash. In an internal memo on Monday, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said the investigation into the crash was far from over and it was unwise to jump to premature conclusions, following the release of the preliminary report. — Agencies
Arab Times
14 hours ago
- Arab Times
European trade ministers meet to forge strategy after Trump's surprise 30% tariffs
BRUSSELS, July 14, (AP): European trade ministers are meeting in Brussels on Monday, following US President Donald Trump's surprise announcement of 30% tariffs on the European Union. The EU is America's biggest business partner and the world's largest trading bloc. The US decision will have repercussions for governments, companies and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic. "We shouldn't impose countermeasures at this stage, but we should prepare to be ready to use all the tools in the toolbox,' said Denmark's foreign minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, told reporters ahead of the meeting. "So we want a deal, but there's an old saying: 'If you want peace, you have to prepare for war.'' The tariffs, also imposed on Mexico, are set to start on Aug 1 and could make everything from French cheese and Italian leather goods to German electronics and Spanish pharmaceuticals more expensive in the U.S., and destabilize economies from Portugal to Norway. Meanwhile, Brussels decided to suspend retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods scheduled to take effect Monday in hopes of reaching a trade deal with the Trump administration by the end of the month. The "countermeasures' by the EU, which negotiates trade deals on behalf of its 27 member countries, will be delayed until Aug. 1. Trump's letter shows "that we have until the first of August' to negotiate, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters in Brussels on Sunday. Maroš Šefčovič, the EU's trade representative in its talks with the U.S., said negotiations would continue "I'm absolutely 100% sure that a negotiated solution is much better than the tension which we might have after the 1st of August," he told reporters in Brussels on Monday. "I cannot imagine walking away without genuine effort. Having said that, the current uncertainty caused by unjustified tariffs cannot persist indefinitely and therefore we must prepare for all outcomes, including, if necessary, well-considered proportionate countermeasures to restore the balance in our transit static relationship.'
Kuwait Times
17 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
India launches e-visa for Kuwaitis: Embassy
KUWAIT: India has launched the e-visa program for Kuwaiti nationals starting from July 13, 2025, the Indian embassy in Kuwait announced. The e-visa covers five key categories: tourism, business, medical, AYUSH/Wellness (including yoga-related travel), and conference, Indian Ambassador to Kuwait Dr Adarsh Swaika said during a press conference Sunday. 'The launch of the e-visa facility for Kuwaiti nationals marks a significant step towards strengthening the bonds between our two countries by making travel to India simpler, faster, and more efficient,' Ambassador Swaika said, adding that it helps enhance people-to-people ties and boost travel between India and Kuwait. The Indian ambassador noted that the tourist e-visa is valid for up to five years, fulfilling a long-standing request from Kuwaiti travelers, saying that business visas are available for up to one year, while medical, medical attendant, and conference visas are granted for shorter, specific durations. 'The entire process is online — [there is] no need to visit the visa application centers," the ambassador said. "You can upload documents, pay fees, and complete the application from home. Biometrics will be done upon arrival at an Indian airport.' He added, 'Visa fees are affordable, with a five-year tourist visa costing just $80, and shorter-duration visas available from $40. Payments can be made via credit/debit card or online gateways.' The launch comes at a time of deepening bilateral relations between India and Kuwait, with growing tourism, trade, and investment flows. 'Direct flights connect nine cities in India, and the number of Kuwaiti tourists visiting India is rising steadily,' the Ambassador noted. He stated, 'In 2024, approximately 8,000–9,000 tourist visas were issued to Kuwaiti nationals. "E-visa holders may enter India through 32 designated airports and five seaports. For those who prefer, the traditional method of obtaining a Regular/Paper Visa from the Indian Consular Application Centers (ICAC) in Kuwait will continue to be available."
