Prada team visits Kolhapuri craftsmen ahead of 'Made in India' partnership

A four-member team from Italian luxury fashion brand Prada spent time with Kolhapuri chappal craftsmen in Kolhapur on Tuesday, to understand the nuances of their pursuit. They visited their homes from where many are known to operate their businesses, followed by factories.

- Saurabha Kulshreshtha

This was their first visit to the state’s southwestern city, weeks after the luxe fashion brand kicked up a puff of dust when it showcased Kolhapuri chappal-inspired footwear in its Spring/Summer 2026 menswear collection in Milan. Soon, the indigenous craftsmen expressed outrage at the brand’s attempt at cultural appropriation, disregarding the fact that the traditional footwear was granted GI tag in 2019.