Prada Admits Kolhapuri Chappal Influence After Cultural Appropriation Accusations

Prada Acknowledges Inspiration from Kolhapuri Chappals After Backlash

Prada has finally acknowledged that its "new" sandals bear a striking resemblance to Kolhapuri chappals, a traditional Indian footwear, after facing criticism. The fashion house's Spring-Summer 2026 men's collection featured sandals that closely resembled the iconic handmade leather footwear from Maharashtra, India.

Initially, Prada referred to them merely as "leather sandals" in their show notes, failing to acknowledge the origin and inspiration behind the design. This sparked outrage among Indian fashion enthusiasts and cultural observers.

Lalit Gandhi, President of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture, was among the first to publicly address the issue. He emphasized that Kolhapuri chappals are not just ordinary sandals; they possess significant cultural and artisanal value. Furthermore, they have been recognized with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag since 2019, protecting their origin and unique characteristics.

In response to the criticism, Lorenzo Bertelli, head of CSR at the Prada Group, sent a letter to Gandhi acknowledging the "inspiration" behind the sandals. He admitted that the design was indeed influenced by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, which boasts a centuries-old heritage.

Bertelli clarified that the collection is still in its early design phase and has not yet entered production or been offered for sale. He further stated that Prada respects Indian craftsmanship and is interested in exploring opportunities for closer collaboration with local artisans in the future.

While Prada's acknowledgment of the design's roots is a welcome step, Gandhi's initial point remains valid: cultural exchange in fashion requires proper credit and genuine collaboration. It is not enough to simply "borrow" inspiration; it is essential to recognize the source and support the artisans who have preserved these traditions.

The incident raises important questions about cultural appropriation in the fashion industry. It highlights the need for brands to:

• Acknowledge the cultural origins of their designs.
• Collaborate with artisans and communities.
• Support the preservation of traditional crafts.

If this incident leads to major brands genuinely uplifting traditional crafts instead of merely repackaging them, it could represent a positive shift for the fashion industry, promoting ethical and culturally sensitive practices.