Months after Prada got flak from Indian artisans and politicians for presenting sandals resembling iconic Indian footwear known as Kolhapuri chappals at a Milan show, the high-end brand is formalising an ambitious collaboration with the country’s traditional footwear, as per a Reuters report. The backlash was initially being fuelled over cultural appropriation. However, now, even Indian officials are looking forward to the business partnership making way for exports from the South Asian nation that may be worth billions of dollars.
This comes after a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Prada and two Indian government organisations. The initiative seeks to source sandals inspired by the Indian footwear.
“The agreement sets out the framework, implementation and guidance of the ‘PRADA Made in India x Inspired by Kolhapuri Chappals’ project, which will celebrate Indian craftsmanship through a limited-edition collection of sandals,” read a joint statement from all the parties involved, as per PTI.
About the Prada ‘Make in India’ collaboration
The luxury brand will soon be launching a limited-edition collection of sandals in India, which will be inspired by the Kohlapuri chappals, Prada senior executive Lorenzo Bertelli told Reuters. As per the deal, the Italian banner will be making 2,000 pairs of these sandals in Maharashtra and Karnataka, bridging the gap between Indian craftmanship and Italian technology.
“We’ll mix the original manufacturer’s standard capabilities with our manufacturing techniques,” Bertelli said in the Reuters interview.
Prada’s Kohlapuri-inspired collection will be available for sale in February 2026 across 40 stores worldwide (and online).
The Reuters report further noted that the partnership in question spans three years and is still being finalised. As part of the collaboration, training programmes will also be launched in India. Other opportunities will include spending some time at Prada’s Academy in Italy. All in all, the initiative, along with the training programmes would cost “several million euros,” as per Reuters.
Having signed the deal with with Sant Rohidas Leather Industries and Charmakar Development Corporation (LIDCOM) and Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram Leather Industries Development Corporation (LIDKAR), Bertelli told Reuters, “We want to be a multiplier of awareness for these chappals.”
Prerna Deshbhratar, LIDCOM managing director, has since also positively spoken about the deal, noting that Prada’s endorsement of the traditional footwear would raise it to the standards of a “luxury product,” prompting a “domino effect” that will word towards increasing “demand for the craft,” as per Reuters.
Piyush Goyal hails Kolhapuri chappal-Prada deal
Taking to his official social media platforms, the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, heaped big praise on the “truly global collab.”
After his meeting with Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, the union minister envisaged big dreams about the export potential of the Prada deal.
“I was very happy when I heard about the collaboration between Prada and our Kolhapuri chappal manufacturers. For the last several years, on many occasions, including before the press, I have often wondered why Kolhapuri chappals, with their beautiful, intricate designs and handwork, bright colours, comfort and unique way of presentation, should not become a global brand,” he said at a Mumbai event, as shared on his X profile.
“I am happy that Prada has picked that up. I am happy that we will now be able to offer the Kolhapuri brand, the Kolhapuri designs, to the rest of the world. And I do hope I had always envisaged Kolhapuri chappals to be able to do an export of ₹ 1 billion from India. And that is the potential that I would like both sides to collaborate and work towards.”
Goyal spoke at length about how he wore Kolhapuri chappals throughout his childhood, adding “you will not want anything else” once you start wearing these Indian sandals.
“Our craftsmen, artisans and leather workers will really work together to make this a global brand, a global offering,” he added.
Prada controversy explained
Back in June, images from the luxury fashion house’s Milan show went viral, as they showed models wearing leather sandals resembling the iconic Kohlapuri chappals. Although their origins trace back to Maharashtra and Karnataka, where marginalised community handcraft them, Prada failed to publicly acknowledge the legacy of the Indian design.
The so-called “sandal scandal” ultimately led Lorenzo Bertelli to issue a letter, addressing the barrage of backlash over lack of credit. “We acknowledge that the sandals… are inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage,” the company’s head of corporate social responsibility said in a letter to Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, according to Reuters.
Immediately accepting all the criticism targeting the fashion powerhouse, Bertelli event wrote, Prada was open to “dialogue for meaningful exchange with local Indian artisans.” On top pf that a company spokesperson went on to release a statement, noting that the slippers were inspired by the Indian footwear, saying, Prada has “always celebrated craftsmanship, heritage and design traditions.”