Kolhapuri Chappals Showcasing In Italy Is Cause Of Contention In Maharashtra

Kolhapuri chappal is a famous hand-crafted pure leather footwear and comes in various forms, named for specific reasons. For instance, Athani make derives its name from that of a village in the vicinity. Kapshi is a distinct design and hue. Visitors to Kolhapur invariably buy a pair after taking darshan of Goddess Ambabai. Kolhapuri chappal is famous abroad as well. Sensing its market potential, Prada has introduced a footwear model for its Milan show. For this Prada had to face a backlash on social media by government officials and artisans in India. They feel that the brand has appropriated a rich Indian tradition but failed to acknowledge the legacy. The unique leather chappals made for the Milan Fashion Week resemble the Kolhapuri chappal. Reacting to this criticism, Prada Group’s Lorenzo Bertelli, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility admitted in a letter Lalit Gandhi, president of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture that “We acknowledge that the sandals featured in the recent Prada Men’s 2026 Fashion Show are inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage. We deeply recognize the cultural significance of such Indian craftsmanship.” The controversy became more widespread after BJP MP Dhananjay Mahadik led a Kolhapuri chappal artisan delegation to Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. They have demanded action to protect the footwear’s GI rights and cultural importance. A pair of Kolhapuri chappals cost somewhere around Rs 500 but will be sold by Prada for around Rs 1 lakh.