Prada Teams Up with Maharashtra Artisans for ‘Made in India’ Kolhapuri Sandals Collection

Rapid Summary

• Italian luxury fashion house Prada faced backlash for appropriating Kolhapuri chappals without crediting Indian artisans.
• Prada is now planning a limited edition ‘Made in India’ leather sandal collaboration involving Maharashtra’s artisans.
• The collaboration will honour the GI-tag requirements of Kolhapuri chappals adn showcase Maharashtra’s cultural heritage globally.
• A video conferencing session between Prada representatives and MACCIA was held on July 11, 2025, with discussions centered on cultural respect, ethical sourcing, and fair-trade principles.
• Prada sent its senior officials from Milan for the talks; both parties aligned on long-term artisan engagement goals.
• Other heritage crafts like Paithani weaving and Himroo textiles were introduced as potential partnerships by MACCIA.
• Proposals included knowledge-sharing programs between Indian and Italian artisans to enhance design innovation, sustainability-led production models, and skill development funds.
• This move follows criticism of prada’s earlier collection inspired by Kolhapuri chappals but lacking attribution to Indian craft traditions.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Prada’s acknowledgment of its oversight regarding Kolhapuri chappals reflects growing global scrutiny toward ensuring ethical collaborations in creative industries like fashion. By partnering directly with local artisans under GI-tag compliance rules, this initiative could pave the way for equitable representation of conventional crafts on international platforms while fortifying India’s soft power in cultural diplomacy.if executed earnestly, such collaborations can bolster economic opportunities for Maharashtra’s artisan communities while setting an example for other brands to actively include indigenous craftsmanship in their supply chains instead of mere aesthetic appropriation without due recognition or fair compensation.

For India, this partnership symbolizes a dual possibility: preserving centuries-old traditions through globalization while advocating sustainability-driven cross-cultural exchanges that benefit regional craft ecosystems.

Read more: Kolhapuri Chappals Walk on Chic Runways