The Prada ‘Kolhapuri’ controversy highlights a simmering tension between global brands and traditional artisans. Kolhapuri chappals originate from the Kolhapur region of Maharashtra, India, dating back to the 13th century. The West has been under the radar for decades now for cultural appropriation or cultural theft.
Prada, a well-recognized brand, overstepped the boundaries by launching a new line of footwear that bore a striking resemblance to the Kolhapuri sandals. Kholapuri has been associated with local craftsmen and artisans in Kolhapur, working with precision. In contrast, the Italian brand Prada steals its identity to sell similar designs for millions.
The luxury fashion brand Prada plagiarized Kolhapur designs without credit. The West has been under scrutiny for stealing culture from South Asians to promote as a ‘unique creation’.
In June 2025, Prada sent you models on the runway wearing T-strap sandals in Milan that resembled Indian handcrafted Kolhapuri chappal. As part of India’s rich cultural heritage, the social media uproar over Prada collecting fame internationally for a locally crafted pair of Kholapuri.
The power of digital media helped to identify the local narrative of South Asians to recognize the origins of the Kholapuri chappal. After the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture shot off a stern letter to Prada, the fashion house’s executives apologized.
The West has been spreading narratives for decades to build wrong perceptions about third-world countries. Do you think that social media and globalization will make them avoid such errors in the future?
