Prada Admits Kolhapuri Chappal Influence After Cultural Appropriation Accusations

Prada has finally recognized the inspiration behind its "new" sandals, admitting they are essentially Kolhapuri chappals, traditional Indian footwear. This acknowledgment comes after facing criticism for not initially crediting the cultural origin of the design.

Here's a breakdown of the situation:

Prada's Spring-Summer 2026 men's collection featured sandals that closely resembled Kolhapuri chappals, a distinctive handmade leather footwear from Maharashtra, India. However, the brand referred to them merely as "leather sandals" in their show notes, failing to acknowledge the cultural significance and source of inspiration.

This omission sparked criticism, with figures like Lalit Gandhi, president of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, pointing out that Kolhapuri chappals are more than just ordinary sandals. They possess cultural and artisanal value and have held a Geographical Indication (GI) tag since 2019.

Following the backlash, Lorenzo Bertelli, head of CSR at the Prada Group, sent a letter to Gandhi, acknowledging the "inspiration" behind the sandals. Bertelli admitted that the design was indeed influenced by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, which he recognized as having "a centuries-old heritage." He also clarified that the collection is still in its early design phase and has not yet gone into production or sale.

Bertelli further stated Prada's respect for Indian craftsmanship and expressed interest in exploring collaborations with local artisans in the future.

While Prada's acknowledgment is a positive step, the incident raises important questions about cultural appropriation in the fashion industry. As Gandhi emphasized, cultural exchange is valuable, but it must be accompanied by proper credit and collaboration. It is crucial to recognize the origins of designs and support the communities that have preserved these traditions.

If this incident prompts major brands to genuinely support traditional crafts instead of merely repackaging them, it could represent a positive shift for the fashion industry.