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Hindustan Times
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Prada dragged to court, compensation sought over 'Kolhapuri chappals' in 2026 collection
The controversy surrounding Italian luxury fashion house Prada featuring footwear "inspired" by Kolhapuri chappals seems to be snowballing. Days after the brand broke silence amid backlash, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Bombay High Court, seeking compensation for Kolhapuri chappal artisans. A model walks the runway during the Prada collection show at Milan's Fashion Week Menswear Spring / Summer 2026. (AFP) The plea also alleged that the Italian brand copied the Kolhapuri chappals design in the Prada Men's 2026 Fashion Show. However, the brand had earlier issued a statement saying the footwear was "inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage". Prada had launched the footwear as 'Toe Ring Sandals', which the PIL alleges bore a strong resemblance, both stylistically and culturally, to the GI-tagged Kolhapuri chappals. Geographical Indication (GI) is a status under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. The sandals, priced at over ₹1 lakh per pair, were featured during an international fashion event held in Milan, Italy, on June 22, and have been rebranded under the European label without acknowledging their true origins, the plea stated. 'This Public Interest Litigation seeks directions and appropriate reliefs, including an injunction and damages/compensation for the unauthorised commercialisation of a GI-tagged product, which has caused significant harm to the community traditionally associated with it, particularly in Maharashtra State,' news agency ANI quoted the plea. The plea was filed by Intellectual Property Rights advocate Ganesh S Hingemire on July 2, accuses Prada of misrepresentation, cultural appropriation, and unauthorised commercial exploitation of the Kolhapuri chappal. What did Prada say? Facing backlash over the footwear's stark resemblance to the Kolhapuri chappals, and them being priced at a whopping ₹1 lakh, Prada had issued a statement acknowledging the sandals' heritage. '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 recognize the cultural significance of such Indian craftsmanship,' wrote Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group Head of Corporate Social Responsibility. The brand also noted that that the designs were in the early stages and were not yet approved for production. However, the plea in Bombay High Court seeks a public apology from the Italian luxury brand. The petition argues that sentiments are attached with the Kolhapuri chappals and that the brand's acknowledgement was neither public nor official and was made only after facing significant backlash on social media. "The brand has not yet issued any formal apology along with any damages, compensation and entitled remedy and the statement appears to be merely a superficial attempt to deflect criticism, " read the PIL. It has also called for the implementation of stricter protections for traditional Indian designs and GI-tagged products in India. (With ANI inputs)
India Gazette
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
PIL filed against fashion brand Prada for allegedly using Kolhapuri Chappals design in latest summer collection
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 4 (ANI): A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Bombay High Court demanding that the Italian fashion house Prada pay compensation to the Kolhapuri chappal artisans for allegedly copying their design in their latest unveiled summer collection. Kolhapuri Chappal is already protected as a Geographical Indication (GI) under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. As per the PIL, Italy-based fashion house Parda has recently released its Spring/Summer collection showcasing their 'Toe ring sandals' that are deceptively similar, stylistically and culturally derived from a GI-registered 'Kolhapuri Chappal' that are reportedly priced at over Rs 1 lakh per pair which is now rebranded under the European fashion label. Intellectual Property Rights advocate Ganesh S Hingemire filed the PIL on July 2, 2025. 'The matter concerns the misrepresentation, cultural misappropriation, unauthorised commercialisation 'KOLHAPURI CHAPPAL' during an international fashion event held at a Spring/Summer Men's Collection 2026 at Milan, Italy on 22nd June, 2025, where its genuine origin, traditional custodianship and Geographical Indication (GI) status were entirely overlooked. This Public Interest Litigation seeks directions and appropriate reliefs, including an injunction and damages/compensation for the unauthorised commercialisation of a GI-tagged product, which has caused significant harm to the community traditionally associated with it, particularly in Maharashtra State,' read the PIL. Following a massive backlash for plagiarising Indian artisans' work, Prada shared a statement accepting that its latest summer wear collection was 'inspired by Indian artisans'. However, the petitioners claim that the fashion brand (Prada) has not issued any 'formal apology' along with any 'damages', 'compensation' and 'entitled remedy' to the Maharashtrian artisans. 'The Kolhapuri Chappal is the cultural symbol of Maharashtra and having special public sentiments attached with it. The brand has privately accepted that its collection is 'inspired by Indian artisans,' however, this acknowledgement surfaced only after facing widespread backlash on various social media platforms. This acknowledgement was given to the private entity and not to the applicant, makers of Kolhapuri Chappal, GI Registry, Government or the public at large. The brand has not yet issued any formal apology along with any damages, compensation and entitled remedy and the statement appears to be merely a superficial attempt to deflect criticism, ' read the PIL. The petition also seeks a direction to the government for protection of the Indian traditional designs and to prevent international companies from infringing on geographical indication products. 'The PIL aims to protect the rights of the affected communities and the public of India from such impugned activities by the international brand/entities. The respective Govt department should be directed to comply with the enforcement of the GI and establish strong policies /mechanisms pertaining to the protection of GI rights,' read the PIL. It further read, 'The Petitioners states that, the present PIL seeks a direction to the government entities and authorities for protecting the rights of producers/ maker of Kolhapuri Chappal and appropriate reliefs to safeguard the cultural heritage, economic interests, and intellectual property rights of indigenous artisan.' The petitioners have also demanded a public apology from Prada. The hearing of this case can be held in the Bombay High Court. (ANI)
Mint
21 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
Prada in legal trouble over Kolhapuri chappals; PIL in Bombay HC seeks apology, artisan payout
The row over Prada's use of Kohlapuri chappals without crediting India has escalated, with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) being filed at the Bombay High Court, demanding that the Italian fashion house must compensate Indian artisans. The PIL, filed by Intellectual Property Rights advocate Ganesh S Hingemire o July 2, also seeks a public apology of Prada and a direction to the government for protection of the Indian traditional designs. 'This Public Interest Litigation seeks directions and appropriate reliefs, including an injunction and damages/compensation for the unauthorised commercialisation of a GI-tagged product, which has caused significant harm to the community traditionally associated with it, particularly in Maharashtra State,' the PIL read. The plea further sought to prevent international companies from infringing on geographical indication products. (This is a developing story. Check back for updates)
News18
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News18
'Compensation, Apology': PIL Against Prada After Facing Flak Over Kolhapuri Chappal Design
Last Updated: A PIL filed in the Bombay High Court accuses Prada of copying the Kolhapuri Chappal design in its Spring/Summer 2026 collection, demanding compensation and a public apology. The Bombay High Court has received a public interest litigation (PIL) against Italian fashion house Prada, demanding compensation to the Kolhapuri chappal artisans for allegedly copying their design in their latest unveiled summer collection, and issuing a public apology. According to the PIL, Parda has recently released its Spring/Summer collection, showcasing their 'toe ring sandals' that are deceptively similar, stylistically and culturally derived from a GI-registered 'Kolhapuri Chappal'. These footwear items are reportedly priced at over Rs 1 lakh per pair and are now rebranded under the European fashion label. The PIL was filed by Intellectual Property Rights advocate Ganesh S Hingemire on July 2, 2025. 'The matter concerns the misrepresentation, cultural misappropriation, unauthorised commercialisation 'KOLHAPURI CHAPPAL" during an international fashion event held at a Spring/Summer Men's Collection 2026 at Milan, Italy on 22nd June, 2025, where its genuine origin, traditional custodianship and Geographical Indication (GI) status were entirely overlooked," the PIL mentioned. 'This Public Interest Litigation seeks directions and appropriate reliefs, including an injunction and damages/compensation for the unauthorised commercialisation of a GI-tagged product, which has caused significant harm to the community traditionally associated with it, particularly in Maharashtra State," it read. Kolhapuri Chappal is already protected as a Geographical Indication (GI) under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. Following a massive backlash for plagiarising Indian artisans' work, Prada shared a statement accepting that its latest summer wear collection was 'inspired by Indian artisans". However, the petitioners claim that the fashion brand (Prada) has not issued any 'formal apology" along with any 'damages", 'compensation" and 'entitled remedy" to the Maharashtrian artisans. 'The Kolhapuri Chappal is the cultural symbol of Maharashtra and has special public sentiments attached to it. The brand has privately accepted that its collection is 'inspired by Indian artisans," however, this acknowledgement surfaced only after facing widespread backlash on various social media platforms. This acknowledgement was given to the private entity and not to the applicant, makers of Kolhapuri Chappal, GI Registry, Government or the public at large. The brand has not yet issued any formal apology along with any damages, compensation and entitled remedy, and the statement appears to be merely a superficial attempt to deflect criticism, the PIL mentioned. The petition also seeks a direction to the government for the protection of the Indian traditional designs and to prevent international companies from infringing on geographical indication products. 'The PIL aims to protect the rights of the affected communities and the public of India from such impugned activities by the international brand/entities. The respective Govt department should be directed to comply with the enforcement of the GI and establish strong policies /mechanisms pertaining to the protection of GI rights," it read. 'The Petitioners state that the present PIL seeks a direction to the government entities and authorities for protecting the rights of producers/makers of Kolhapuri Chappal and appropriate reliefs to safeguard the cultural heritage, economic interests, and intellectual property rights of indigenous artisans," it added. First Published: July 04, 2025, 13:27 IST
