Sole mates or soul snatchers? Prada's Kolhapuris step on Maharashtra's toes
— The Dalit Voice (@ambedkariteIND) June 25, 2025
Prada is selling products looking like Kolhapuri chappals for over ₹1 lakh. Our artisans make the same by hand for ₹400. They lose, while global brands cash in on our culture. Sad! pic.twitter.com/Cct4vOimKs
— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) June 26, 2025
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Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Prada-MACCIA meet on July 11 to discuss Kolhapuri Chappal collaboration
MUMBAI: Italian fashion house Prada is putting its best foot forward to address concerns after footwear it showcased at the Milan Fashion Week failed to acknowledge the traditional craft of making Kolhapuri Chappals or the artisans engaged in it. A model presents a creation from Prada Spring-Summer 2026 menswear collection during the Milan Fashion Week in Milan, Italy, June 22, 2025. REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo (REUTERS) After admitting that the slippers it featured on the runway were 'inspired' by Kolhapuri Chappals, the fashion brand had committed to initiating a dialogue with representatives of trade and industry, and artisans engaged in the 800-year-old tradition of making the slippers. On July 11, Prada will hold a meeting via video conferencing with office-bearers of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA) and artisans. The luxury brand, which has been accused of 'cultural appropriation', is expected to discuss a possible collaboration with Kolhapuri artisans, to explore possibilities of taking the Kolhapuri Chappal to the global market. The meeting follows a letter written by MACCIA president Lalit Gandhi, raising the matter with Prada. The fashion house replied on June 27, saying it was willing to 'recognise the value of specialised craftspeople through meaningful exchange' with local artisans and MACCIA. 'I have told Prada that MACCIA believes that this meeting will lay the foundation for a pioneering cultural and commercial collaboration,' said Gandhi. The video conference is scheduled for 2pm on July 11, and will be attended by MACCIA office-bearers and artisans who make the handcrafted slippers. MACCIA has also proposed a six-point agenda for the meeting. It includes recognition and responsible attribution; formation of a joint working group of MACCIA-Prada and artisans' bodies; co-branded artisan collections; a Prada-artisan excellence lab in Kolhapur or Mumbai; and the development of a fair trade supply chain. The agenda is yet to be finalised.
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
PIL seeks public apology from Prada
MUMBAI: The controversy over Italian luxury fashion house Prada showcasing footwear 'inspired' by Kolhapuri Chappals at the recent Milan Fashion Week has taken a legal turn. A model presents a creation from Prada Spring-Summer 2026 menswear collection during the Milan Fashion Week in Milan, Italy, June 22, 2025. REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo (REUTERS) A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Bombay High Court, accusing Prada of cultural appropriation as the 'Toe Ring Sandals/Leather Flat Sandals' it had showcased on June 22 were near-identical to the traditional, handcrafted footwear made by artisans in Kolhapur, in Maharashtra. Among other things, the petition has sought a public apology from Prada, and compensation for the artisans engaged in the craft. The petition, filed by Prof Adv Ganesh S Hingmire, alleges that the product's 'genuine origin, traditional custodianship and Geographical Indication (GI) status were entirely overlooked'. It sought protection and enforcement of the rights of the community associated with the product, along with compensation for the 'unauthorised commercialisation', which has caused 'significant harm' to the community traditionally associated with it. The petition has also urged the court to direct government entities to safeguard the economic interests and intellectual property rights of indigenous artisans, whose traditional crafts have been granted a Gl tag under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. The petition contends that the design showcased by Prada did not acknowledge Indian artisans who have been making Kolhapuri Chappals for generations. 'The act of copying and misrepresenting this craft in international markets effectively amounts to depriving local artisans of rightful recognition and credit for their work, who have preserved and practiced this traditional art form for nearly 800 years in India,' the petition states. After the controversy broke, Prada issued a statement acknowledging that the slippers it had showcased had been 'inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage'. 'We deeply recognise the cultural significance of such Indian craftsmanship,' the statement said. The PIL, however, alleges that 'cultural appropriation' of this nature amounts to more than aesthetic borrowing – it constitutes intellectual and economic exploitation. 'In the past, there have been multiple instances where international brands have imitated traditional Indian crafts without offering any acknowledgment or apology,' states Hingmire, an intellectual property rights advocate known for his contribution to Geographical Indication in India. It also urged the court to direct Prada to issue a public apology before the court, affirming its genuineness and ensuring that the apology is widely circulated through appropriate media, including but not limited to newspapers, digital platforms and the brand's official communication channels. The petition underlined the need to establish strong and decisive measures to 'address these violations and set an exemplary legal precedent that deters future acts of cultural misappropriation'. It also suggested the implementation of a permanent, comprehensive policy for international recognition of India's GIs, and the provision of legal and financial support for artisans to enforce their rights.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Edelweiss Mutual Fund CEO Radhika Gupta on Prada Kolahpuris controversy: Every child knows who Prada and Gucci are, but very few ...
Radhika Gupta , CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund has started an online debate by calling out popular fashion brand Prada for showcasing scandals that resemble closely to India's traditional Kolhapuri chappals . Gupta has criticised Prada for not giving the due credit to the original artisans. Her remarks soon went viral on social media calling for the recognition and preservation of India's textile heritage. What Edelweiss Mutual Fund CEO Radhika Gupta said on Prada Kolahpuris controversy Gupta shared a post on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) in which she criticised Prada. '500 rupee chappal sold for 1 lakh, without any credit! This is why I am obsessed with wearing and talking about handlooms. Every child knows who Prada and Gucci are, but very few in a room know a Himroo, Sambalpuri or Narayanpet. Our textile heritage and craftsmanship is for us to preserve, brand and benefit from. As for Prada... Remember that till the lion learns to write, all stories will always glorify the hunter.' wrote Gupta. She emphasised the critical need for Indians to proactively "preserve, brand, and benefit from" their own cultural wealth. Billionaire Harsh Goenka also criticised Prada Apart from Radhika Gupta, billionaire Harsh Goenka also called out Prada for selling Kholapuris at such a high price tag. 'Prada is selling products looking like Kolhapuri chappals for over ₹1 lakh. Our artisans make the same by hand for ₹400. They lose, while global brands cash in on our culture. Sad!,' wrote Goenka in a post shared on X. What is the Prada Kolahpuris controversy The Prada Kolahpuris controversy started after the luxury fashion brand launched its Spring/Summer 2026 men's collection. The summer collection consisted of open-toe, braided leather sandals that bore a striking resemblance to Kolhapuris. For those unaware, Kolhapuris are a GI tagged handcrafted footwear from Maharashtra and Karnataka. After the backlash, the luxury fashion brand has reportedly scheduled a virtual meeting with the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA) for July 11. This meeting aims to explore potential collaborations, including co-branded collections and skill development initiatives.
