Luxury fashion brand Prada is set to release a limited-edition sandal collection crafted in India and inspired by traditional local footwear, with each pair priced at approximately ₹84,000 ($930), senior executive Lorenzo Bertelli told Reuters. The luxury house will produce 2,000 pairs in Maharashtra and Karnataka through partnerships with two state-supported organisations, blending Indian artisanal skill with Prada’s design and manufacturing expertise. The collection will be dropped in February 2026 across 40 Prada stores worldwide and on the brand’s online platforms.
“We’ll mix the original manufacturer’s standard capabilities with our manufacturing techniques”, said Bertelli, Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility. The current agreement has been signed with the Sant Rohidas Leather Industries and Charmakar Development Corporation (LIDCOM) and the Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram Leather Industries Development Corporation (LIDKAR), both of which are known for promoting India’s leather heritage. The three-year alliance will include skill-building programmes in India and short-term training opportunities at Prada’s Academy in Italy. The move is said to strengthen the craft ecosystem.
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The collaboration follows backlash earlier this year, when Prada Kolhapuri sandals at its Milan show without crediting Indian craftsmanship. Soon pictures went viral, sparking criticism from artisans, cultural commentators, and political leaders. Later Prada publicly acknowledged that the design drew from historic Indian styles and opened discussions with artisan groups. The recent partnership is a step to convert criticism into collaboration.
Where are Kolhapuri chappals made?
The GI tagged Kolhapuri chappals originate in Maharashtra and Karnataka and are traditionally handmade by marginalised artisan communities. Many hope that this global collaboration between Prada and Indian leather industry pioneers will increase income stability, encourage younger generations to join the craft, and protect the heritage from cheap replicas and fluctuating demand. Though Prada recently debuted its first beauty store in Delhi, the company has stated it has no immediate plans for apparel retail expansion or manufacturing facilities in India despite India’s booming luxury market.
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What is a GI Tag?
A Geographical Indication (GI) is an intellectual property marker that links a product to a specific region. The tag reflects qualities or reputation of the material/product rooted in its origin. India currently has 658 GI-tagged products, such as Chanderi sarees, Madhubani paintings, Pashmina shawls, Kancheepuram silk, and Darjeeling tea amongst others. GIs help protect community-owned heritage, boost rural livelihoods, strengthen exports, and preserve cultural identity. Unlike trademarks, GIs cannot be privately owned or licensed as they belong collectively to the producers of that region.
Also Read: Prada Kolhapuris In Milan, Bandhani In Stockholm
What is the Prada–Kolhapuri controversy?
Prada’s Spring/Summer 2026 menswear show on June 25 spurred debate after footwear resembling India’s GI-tagged Kolhapuri chappals was displayed without any reference to its origins. People criticized Prada writing on social media, “Learn to give credit where it is due. Enough is enough! Say that you got your inspiration for the humble Indian Kolhapuri chappals” and that Prada had created “first copy of Kolhapuri chappals”. Artisan groups and trade associations demanded recognition, while several public figures including Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor criticised the oversight as cultural misappropriation. It’d now be worth it to see if this deal between Indian leather players and Prada will truly benefit the makers of Kolhapuri chappals.
