Fashion Designer JJ Valaya To NDTV On Prada Kolhapuri Row: "Plagiarism Is Not Okay, But..."
In a candid conversation with NDTV, renowned designer JJ Valaya said he feels, "Plagiarism is not okay but somebody can get inspired by something that has its creative language. Creating a statement that highlights the thing rather than letting it disappear in time, that is a kind of service."
When asked about whether Prada has given Indian craftsmanship exposure, the fashion designer said, "What Prada has done to Kohlapur is that they have made it a buzzword. Suddenly, everybody knows Kohlapuri Chappals now. It has become the 'It' statement.
They may not have approached it the right way, but what they have managed to do to Kolhapur and its indigenous product is amazing. But should we capitalize on it or not is another story."
On whether or not the world needs to acknowledge Indian craftsmanship, JJ Valaya says, "I have a very serious disagreement with the acknowledgement of the West to know that we are important because that in itself is a wrong notion."
All About The Prada Kolhapur Controversy
Italian luxury fashion brand Prada found itself at the centre of controversy after showcasing a pair of leather sandals that resembled India's Kolhapuri Chappals. It escalated when Prada labeled it as "Leather Sandals" without giving any credit to Indian craftsmanship.
The brand faced allegations of cultural appropriation and profiting off Indian heritage without giving due credit.
The intervention of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MACCI) led to Prada expressing its inclination towards launching a limited-edition 'Made in India' Kolhapuri-inspired collection.
This was followed by a four-member team from the Italian luxury brand visiting Kolhapuri Chappal craftsmen in Kolhapur in Maharashtra to understand the nuances of their pursuit.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Aadujeevitham's director Blessy reacts to National Awards snub for Prithviraj Sukumaran film, says ‘seems like double standards'
Blessy calls out Ashutosh Gowariker The 71st National Film Awards were announced on August 1, 2025, to honour the best of Indian cinema in 2023. The winners' list received mixed reactions from the audience. One film that became the centre of growing controversy after being completely ignored by the jury was director Blessy's ambitious survival drama Aadujeevitham – The Goat Life, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran . Despite being both a critical and commercial success, the film failed to win a single award, a decision that has sparked disappointment, debate, and accusations of inconsistency in the jury's an interview with OnManorama, Blessy expressed his shock and dismay over the exclusion. What particularly frustrated the filmmaker was the alleged change in stance by jury chairperson Ashutosh Gowariker. Blessy claimed that Gowariker had previously praised the film, even comparing it to the legendary 1962 epic Lawrence of Arabia during an Oscar campaign screening in Mumbai."That comment felt like an award in itself. He (Gowariker) even invited me to lunch the next day to discuss the film further, though I couldn't attend as I had to travel that night. If someone appreciated the film in such detail before, how can they dismiss it on technical grounds? This seems like double standards,' Bless the jury's decision, National Awards jury member Pradeep Nair confirmed that Aadujeevitham was indeed under consideration for multiple categories. However, it failed to make the cut during the final discussions. According to Nair, "jury Chairperson Ashutosh Gowariker had seen the movie at a previous film festival in Goa and had serious concerns about the film's adaptation and execution. Gowariker and others also felt the adaptation lacked originality and the performances didn't feel authentic."Another critical blow came in the form of incomplete documentation. The jury stated that the absence of accurate English translations for the film's lyrics, which reportedly cost it nominations in the Best Male Playback Singer and Best Lyrics categories. Despite actor KR Gokul's performance receiving praise from the panel, he was not honoured due to concerns about the film's overall exclusion of Aadujeevitham has sparked strong reactions on social media. Many fans criticised the National Awards process, calling it unfair and inconsistent. Many believe the film's strong visuals, emotional story, and solid performances should have been recognised, especially because of its large-scale the unversed, Aadujeevitham: The Goat Life, was released on March 24, 2024.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Singer Jashan Bhumkar Enters As Co-Owner Of Alibaug Knights In PGL 2025
Mumbai's much-loved dahi handi tradition is gearing up for a grand sporting spectacle as the Pro Govinda League (PGL) 2025 returns on August 7-9 at Dome SVP Stadium, Worli. The high-energy, culturally rooted competition will bring the thrill of Govinda pyramids to audiences across India. Adding to the excitement, Jashan Bhumkar, Specialty Chemicals and Pharma Entrepreneur and acclaimed Hindustani classical musician, has officially entered the league as Co-Owner of Alibaug Knights, alongside hospitality leader Ranjeet Bindra, founder of the iconic Bastian group of restaurants. Speaking about his association with the league, Jashan Bhumkar said: "Pro Govinda League is not just a sport - it's a celebration of courage, teamwork, and the incredible cultural heartbeat of Maharashtra. As someone deeply connected to Indian traditions and music, I felt this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to support a grassroots sport that truly belongs to the people." Bhumkar expressed strong confidence in his team, Alibaug Knights, who will represent the spirited Bal Utsahi Pathak from Jogeshwari: "From the first time I met this team, I saw something special - an unbreakable bond, a fire to rise above every challenge. These are not just athletes; they're fighters who inspire everyone around them. My belief in them is absolute, and I know they'll make their mark this season." The tournament will feature 16 top-tier Govinda pathaks battling it out for glory, with live music performances by Padmashri Kailash Kher (Day 1) and Salim-Sulaiman (Finals) adding to the festival atmosphere. "This league beautifully merges tradition, adrenaline, and entertainment," Bhumkar added. "Our vision is to elevate Govinda into a recognized, professionally celebrated sport while staying rooted in its cultural origins. I'm honored to be part of that journey." The Pro Govinda League 2025 promises three days of nail-biting competition, community celebration, and cultural pride. Fans can witness the energy firsthand at Dome SVP Stadium, Worli, Mumbai.
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
US woman slams influencer for mocking Indian accent in viral video
A social media influencer found herself at the receiving end of the internet after a woman of Indian origin called her out for mimicking the accent of an Indian woman who was arrested for shoplifting in the influencer had recreated the woman's interaction with US police - recorded on a bodycam - where she asked officers if she could pay for the items she was accused of stealing. But the mimicry didn't land well with Cassandra Jerome, an Indian-origin creator, who accused the US-based influencer of casual responded with a video of her own, posted on Instagram, where she expressed her discomfort with the trend of mocking accents, especially when used as the punchline. "I'm not going to sit here on a high horse and say stereotypes can't be funny," she said, adding, "I'm a human being. I have a pulse and a sense of humour. These things can be done tastefully."But her issue lay with how some jokes stripped context and relied solely on how people sounded. 'When people start dying over the Indian accent, I think that's hilarious. It just comes across as so uneducated to me,' she elaborated that while humour involving accents could work if done with intention and awareness, reducing someone's way of speaking to a joke only reflects poorly on the person making it."If the Indian accent is used in a joke that has some context and is done so well that it shocks me, it gets a laugh. But when the punchline is that we sound weird, I have learned something about you. All it tells me is that your worldview has not moved much past your nose. When does it stop being funny?" she also pointed out how common that very accent is, especially for people raised in India. 'Thousands of people around me had that accent. You're 'hehe-ing' and 'haha-ing' over something that's entirely normal to so many people. Expand your horizons and leave us alone. Please,' she the viral video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cassandra Jerome (@casjerome)The video prompted strong reactions from viewers online. Several users supported Jerome's stance and shared their own experiences of being mocked for their accents.'What's interesting is that there are so many variations of Indian accents, but people always go for that one exaggerated version,' said a user. Another user added, 'It's just CRAZY when people want high levels of respect for their culture but show such low respect for others.'advertisementA user shared a personal anecdote: 'I remember getting a ride from this girl in college—her Siri voice was set to an Indian accent. When someone asked why, she said it was funny. That never sat right with me.'One of the users pointed out the deeper irony in the influencer's actions: 'This is crazy because this Black woman has likely faced rejection in some Indian spaces too. And now, she's adding to the confusion and hate by mocking an accent. It has to stop somewhere.''Honestly, every accent is beautiful, Indian, French, Mexican, Chinese, African, Central American. If you're laughing at how someone talks, I think you're just uncultured,' said a user. Cassandra Jerome's video led to a wider conversation around humour, intent, and the need to move beyond lazy stereotypes.- Ends
