Prada Kolhapuri sandal sparked cultural appropriation crisis — legal threats, forced pivot

In June 2025, Prada unveiled a pair of toe-loop leather sandals at Milan Fashion Week during its Spring/Summer 2026 menswear show. The sandals, priced at over €1,000 ($1,200), closely resembled India's traditional Kolhapuri chappals — handcrafted leather sandals that have been made in Maharashtra for centuries and carry a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Prada initially described them simply as "leather sandals" with no mention of their Indian inspiration.

Indian politicians, artisans, and civil society groups immediately accused Prada of cultural appropriation. Social media erupted with hashtags like #KolhapuriChappals, while Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan posted a photo of her own traditional chappals with the caption "Sorry not Prada…but my OG Kolhapuri." The Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce threatened legal action, and a member of parliament organized Kolhapuri sandal makers to file a lawsuit in the Bombay High Court. Prada was served a legal notice seeking damages of ₹500 crore.

Prada initially responded through Lorenzo Bertelli, its head of corporate social responsibility, acknowledging the Indian inspiration and committing to "responsible design practices." By April 2026, the company launched a limited-edition "Made in India" line of Kolhapuri-inspired sandals priced at €750, produced by artisans in Maharashtra and Karnataka, alongside a three-year training programme for 180 artisans. The episode highlighted how even a global luxury house can face significant backlash when it fails to credit the cultural sources of its designs.