Italian luxury house Prada has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with two government-backed leather agencies, Maharashtra’s LIDCOM (Sant Rohidas Leather Industries and Charmakar Development Corporation Ltd) and Karnataka’s LIDKAR (Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram Leather Industries Development Corporation Ltd), to develop a limited-edition footwear line inspired by Kolhapuri chappals.
The collection is scheduled to launch globally in February 2026 across 40 Prada stores and on the brand’s official e-commerce platform. The MoU was formalised on Wednesday at the Consulate General of Italy in Mumbai during the Italy–India Business Forum, under which the parties will collaborate on the “PRADA Made in India x Inspired by Kolhapuri Chappals” project, the luxury house said.
From controversy to collaborative craftsmanship
The latest announcement comes after Prada faced heat following a fashion show earlier this year where models were wearing sandals that looked like Kolhapuri chappals. Prada later acknowledged that it was inspired by ‘traditional Indian handcrafted footwear’, and also said that it would explore the possibility of a collaboration on the product in the future.
Global launch and commitment to artisan livelihoods
While the company did not reveal the pricing of the limited-edition collection, Prada’s senior executives told Reuters that each pair would be priced at around 800 euros, which translates to approximately Rs 84,500 per pair.
The collection will feature sandals manufactured in India, Prada said, using traditional techniques from artisan clusters across Maharashtra and Karnataka, which are the two states where Kolhapuri chappals are historically crafted. Prada will integrate these methods with its own design approach and materials.
“Our collaboration with LIDCOM and LIDKAR stems from a meaningful cultural exchange, where every voice contributed to creating not just a product, but a broader initiative. We are committed to develop training programmes supporting Indian artisans and ensuring that their exceptional craftsmanship secures its place in today’s evolving industry,” Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, said.
Kolhapuri chappals are produced across eight districts: four in Maharashtra (Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Solapur) and four in Karnataka (Belagavi, Bagalkot, Dharwad, Bijapur). The craft received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2019.
LIDCOM Managing Director Prerna Deshbhratar said the project builds on sustained dialogue between the organisations and aims to recognise artisans who have preserved the GI-tagged craft. LIDKAR Managing Director K.M. Vasundhara said the collaboration is expected to open new opportunities for artisans through training and livelihood programmes.
The initiative is part of Prada’s long-running “Made In…” programme, launched over a decade ago to work with craftspeople globally. The programme will also target youth engagement in artisan communities.