Kolhapuri chappal makers cry foul over Prada’s ‘replica’ sandal-OxBig News Network

Kolhapuri chappal manufacturers have taken strong exception to Italian luxury fashion brand Prada’s recently showcased Men’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection, alleging that the featured sandals bear a striking resemblance to the traditional Kolhapuri chappals, a product granted Geographical Indication (GI) status by the Government of India.

A delegation of Kolhapuri chappal manufacturers met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday to register their protest. Meanwhile, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Dhananjay Mahadik said that they are in the process of filing a Public Interest Litigation in the Bombay High Court against Prada.

“A team of lawyers is already working on it. This is to protect the rights of our people, to safeguard their livelihoods. I will also meet Union Minister Piyush Goyal in this regard,” Mr. Mahadik told The Hindu.

Prada has come under criticism for allegedly failing to acknowledge Kolhapur’s artisans as the source of inspiration for the sandal design.

Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar, in a post on social media platform X, stated, “Prada’s new sandal, priced approximately at ₹1 lakh, mimics Maharashtra’s GI-tagged #KolhapuriChappal without crediting Kolhapur’s artisans. This isn’t just copying – it’s cultural theft! If Prada won’t respect our heritage by branding it right, the Maharashtra government must act against such #ChappalChor.”

Mr. Mahadik also wrote to the Chief Minister seeking urgent intervention to “protect the cultural heritage of Maharashtra.”

In Kolhapur, the District Footwear Association convened a meeting on Thursday condemning Prada’s alleged appropriation of the design. “We will also file a criminal writ petition against Prada for this,” Bhupal Shete, a member of the association, told The Hindu. He said over 250 manufacturers and shopkeepers participated in the meeting.

“There are 20,000 artisans here in Kolhapur who make these chappals. All of us manufacturers have come together to condemn Prada. We will also send a memorandum to the Sant Rohidas Charmodyog Vikas Mahamandal to take action in this matter. We are now going to approach the District Collector, the State government, and the Union government,” Mr. Shete said.

Speaking about Prada’s collection, he added, “They have called it ‘leather chappals’. We have protested against it. They can’t do that. We have a GI tag. They haven’t acknowledged the name Kolhapuri Chappal. They should come here to buy them, not sell them at ₹1 lakh. What is the advantage to the manufacturers here? They will buy from us at ₹400–₹500 and sell at ₹1.2 lakh.”

In his letter to the Chief Minister, Mr. Mahadik stated, “I wish to draw your urgent attention to a serious infringement on Maharashtra’s cultural identity and artisan rights. On 23rd June 2025, Italian fashion brand Prada S.p.A. presented its Men’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection in Milan, prominently featuring sandals that strongly resemble Kolhapuri Chappals – a product awarded a GI tag by the Government of India in 2019.”

The letter added that the sandals are reportedly priced at ₹1.1–₹1.2 lakh per pair (approximately €1,200), with no acknowledgment or compensation to the original artisans. “This kind of commercial appropriation not only violates GI regulations but also threatens the livelihood and dignity of the thousands of families involved in this traditional trade. The State must act swiftly and firmly,” Mr. Mahadik’s letter stated.