Prada's Sandal Scandal

The Italian label faced backlash for debuting "leather flat sandals" nearly identical to Kolhapuri chappals or "toe ring sandals," without crediting the Indian artisans behind the centuries-old design. The controversy gained global attention, but the hard truth is that several of our craft and textile traditions are fading due to the lack of support, public visibility, and buyers. It is time that cultural misappropriation is taken seriously and the creators are credited and acknowledged for their work

- OUR CORRESPONDENT

Pictures and videos from Italian luxury brand Prada's Spring/Summer 2026 show in Milan flooded the Internet. One particular clip of a model sporting slippers caught global attention. The footwear was a carbon copy of India's very own Kolhapuri sandals. Now, imagine a product that was worn by our grandfathers, fathers and even us at some point in time or the other, costing between Rs 500-1000 being sold by a foreign brand for a whopping Rs 1.2 lakh and that too, without any credit to where it came from or who made it!

The development has sparked debates about cultural misappropriation, intellectual plagiarism and ignoring the economic struggles of Indian artisan communities. Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge also took to social media to point out the state's role in producing this distinctive style of footwear, with regions like Belagavi, Dharwad, and Bagalkot being major production hubs. As the stir continues to engulf Prada even after they admitted the source of 'inspiration' for their leather flat sandals, the question remains whether luxury labels elevate or exploit traditional crafts (India in this context)?

Kolhapuri chappals are handcrafted leather sandals traditionally made by artisans in Maharashtra's Kolhapur district and parts of Karnataka. Believed to have originated centuries ago, these sandals are best known for their distinctive braided leather straps, intricate cutwork, durable construction and timeless craftsmanship.

Once adorned by royalty and later popularised across India for their rustic charm, Kolhapuris are not merely footwear. These sandals are a marker of regional identity and craftsmanship involving a manufacturing process that is entirely manual, involving vegetable-tanned leather and indigenous techniques passed down from generation to generation.