Latest news with #Kholapuri
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Kolhapuri chappals: Priyank Kharge calls for skilling, market access for artisans
Karnataka rural development and panchayat raj minister Priyank Kharge on Sunday called for greater skilling and market access for the artisan communities and investments in design and branding of their products, stressing that getting a geographical indication tag alone won't be enough. Kharge's comment comes in the backdrop of the recent developments over the Kholapuri chappals, where Italian luxury fashion house Prada acknowledged, after initially giving no credit, that sandals featured in its latest summer collection were inspired by the traditional Indian footwear. The minister also pointed out that while these chappals are commonly associated with Maharashtra, a large number of the artisans who craft them hail from Karnataka. Very few people know where they truly come from, said Kharge, also the minister for information technology and biotechnology. Artisans from Athani, Nippani, Chikkodi, Raibag, and other parts of Belagavi, Bagalkot and Dharwad in Karnataka have been making these chappals for generations. They have traditionally sold them in nearby towns, especially Kolhapur, which eventually became the default market, and over time, the brand, he said. 'We saw how Maharashtra was pushing for sole GI tag rights over Kolhapuris and through LIDKAR (a Karnataka government subsidiary), we contested this and fought to ensure the state's artisans were not left out,' Kharge wrote on microblogging site X. Live Events The GI tag was granted jointly to four districts each in Karnataka and Maharashtra. 'This was never about a contest between the two states but about preserving our shared heritage and giving our artisans the legal recognition they deserve,' he said. 'When international fashion houses adopt our designs, it is our artisans whose names, work, and legacy must be showcased — not sidelined,' he added. While Prada has acknowledged the Indian roots of the design and signalled openness to artisan collaboration , Kharge said the artisans don't just deserve credit. They deserve better prices, wider exposure, and the chance to build lasting, dignified livelihoods from their craft, he said.
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Prada's Rs 1.2-lakh Kolhapuri chappals spark row, Priyank Kharge calls for global platforms for artisans
After Kholapuri chappals recently went viral at the Italian luxury fashion house Prada's summer collection, Karnataka Minister for Rural Development, Panchayat Raj and IT-BT, Priyank Kharge , highlighted that GI tag recognition isn't enough and cultural entrepreneurship is needed. Kharge on Sunday also pointed out that while the chappals are commonly associated with Maharashtra, a large share of the artisans who craft them hail from Karnataka, sharing the tag. The minister said that with the sandals being priced at Rs 1.2 lakh, very few people know where they truly come from. Artisans from Athani, Nippani, Chikkodi, Raibag, and other parts of Belagavi, Bagalkot, and Dharwad in Karnataka have been making these chappals for generations. They have traditionally sold them in nearby towns, especially Kolhapur, which eventually became the default market, and over time, the brand, he said. 'We saw how Maharashtra was pushing for sole GI tag rights over Kolhapuris and through LIDKAR (Karnataka government's subsidiary), we contested this and fought to ensure the state's artisans were not left out,' Kharge wrote X. The GI tag was granted jointly to four districts each in Karnataka and Maharashtra. 'This was never about a contest between the two states but about preserving our shared heritage and giving our artisans the legal recognition they deserve,' the rural development minister said. Kharge called for greater investment in design, branding, skilling, and market access for the artisan communities. 'When international fashion houses adopt our designs, it is our artisans whose names, work, and legacy must be showcased — not sidelined,' he added. While Prada has since acknowledged the Indian roots of the design and signalled openness to artisan collaboration , Kharge emphasised that the artisans don't just deserve credit, they deserve better prices, wider exposure, and the chance to build lasting, dignified livelihoods from their craft.
