Prada’s Spring/Summer 2026 show grabbed global headlines when runway models were spotted wearing copies of Kolhapuri chappals, while the designer omitted any acknowledgment to the tradition and history behind these footwears. Let's learn what enraged netizens!
Prada’s Spring/Summer 2026 show held in Milan caught global attention not for its avant-garde fashion or pastel palettes, but for its uncanny copy of India's very traditional and loved Kolhapuri chappals. The runway models walked down the ramp wearing tan-leather, toe-loop sandals that imitate the classic Indian Kolhapuri Sandal design– yet Prada passed them off as mere “leather flat sandals”, veiling the true cultural and traditional history of centuries-old Maharashtrian origins behind these beautiful, humble footwears. Even more shocking is the fact that these replicas are priced at a staggering value of ₹1.16 - 1.2 lakh (about $1,440), which is in complete contrast with their price which ranges from ₹300–1,500 in the country of origin, India.
(Credit- @prada/Instagram)
These elegant yet humble chappals date back to the 12th century, where leather artisans around Kolhapur in Maharashtra and parts of Karnataka hand-crafted these designs. The sandals' signature T-strap, toe-loop, and intricate braiding aren't considered as mere aesthetics, but are a result of centuries-old techniques of natural dyeing and vegetable-tanned leather sourcing.
Prada has used this design in their 2026 Spring/Summer show, without any attribution–thus commercializing and de-contextualizing a living, breathing craft that aids thousands of rural families.
When news broke that Prada has set the price of over 1 lakh on a pair of these chappals, the internet erupted in anger. Netizens called out the move as a “shameless cash grab”, emphasizing that the very artisans who hand-craft these sandals, struggle to earn even ₹300 per pair in Indian local markets. One user wrote: “Prada slaps on a logo, calls them ‘leather sandals,’ and erases our cultural roots. It’s not luxury, it’s theft”. This reaction reflects a broader grievance that global brands commodify traditional designs way too often, without giving any credit to the originators, thus leaving them in obscurity.
(Credit- @prada/Instagram)
Critics have argued that this move is not a mere inspiration, but cultural appropriation, where high-end fashion houses acquire artisanal heritage without any credit or compensation to the original creators. Speaking on this matter, India's fashion influencers take us back to similar incidents in the past: the ‘moth-patterned’ saris by Louis Vuitton, Madhubani motifs being used by Dior, and Ajrakh prints appropriated by Gucci have all sparked debates of the same intensity. The recent Prada incident demands for ethical collaborations that acknowledge indigenous creators, instead of just repackaging their hard-owned work for premium margins.
It is no news that Kolhapuri artisans survive on minimal profits, restricted market access, and robust competition from machine-made copies! According to local NGOs, most of these craftsmen manage to earn less than ₹100 per day, struggling against increased leather and wage costs. When high-end luxury brands charge 100 times more for the same product, it further disparages the artisans' calibre. Activists repeatedly advocate for the establishment of fair-trade partnerships by international labels: sharing royalties and featuring a tag “Made in Kolhapur”, as measures to uplift the affected communities.
As consumers globally become more aware and conscientious of what they are purchasing, brands risk reputational harm when a country's heritage is exploited anonymously. Industry observers often state the example of Scandinavia where fair-trade jewelry or indigenous textile initiatives run on transparent supply chains and co-branding with artisans cooperatives.
So, “Kolhapuris on the Prada Runway” doesn't represent a mere headline, but a test case for the fashion world's ethical compass. By focusing on this episode, we ask tough questions to luxury brands about who gains from tradition and how to acknowledge and honour the artisans who shape our shared heritage. Until high-fashion truly credits its inspirations, the real artisans of Kolhapur will remain footnotes in their own story.
