A four-member team from Italian luxury brand Prada visited Kolhapur on Tuesday to interact with local Kolhapuri chappal makers and gain insight into their traditional craft, reported HT. The visit marks a significant step towards a possible collaboration that would spotlight Indian artisanship through a dedicated ‘Made in India’ collection.
This was the team’s first visit to the southwestern Maharashtra city, coming weeks after Prada drew criticism for featuring Kolhapuri-style footwear in its Spring/Summer 2026 menswear show in Milan. Many local craftsmen expressed disappointment over what they viewed as cultural appropriation, particularly given that the Kolhapuri chappal has held a Geographical Indication (GI) tag since 2019.
During a virtual meeting held last week, officials from the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA) proposed a partnership model similar to Prada’s past collaborations with artisans from Peru, Japan, and Scotland. The brand responded positively, leading to this on-ground engagement.
The visiting delegation included Paolo Tiveron, Director of the Men’s Technical and Production Department (Footwear Division), Daniele Contu, Pattern Making Manager, and external consultants Andrea and Roberto Pollastrelli. They were welcomed by MACCIA president Lalit Gandhi and other office bearers.
The team began their visit in Subhash Nagar, a neighbourhood known for its concentration of home-based footwear artisans. They interacted with craftsmen, including Balasaheb Gawali, Shubham Satpute, Sunil Rokade, and Shivaji Mane, observing their techniques and the variety of traditional designs. Among the items showcased was the unique ‘car-to-carpet’ chappal, designed to be discreetly carried and worn just before entering an event.
“They wanted to know minute details of our craft – the kind of leather we use, how the several parts are made, etc. We told them we use bull or buffalo leather, and goat leather for the strip where the trademark is embossed. We also explained to them how the whole family, including women, are involved in the craft.” Bhupal Shete, a 66-year-old craftsman from Subhash Nagar, told HT. In a gesture of respect, the visitors even removed their shoes to try on the handcrafted chappals, gaining first-hand experience of the comfort and design that define this iconic Indian footwear.