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Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
The OG Kolhapuris keep buzzing
Luxury brand Prada officials visited Kolhapur after facing criticism for using designs similar to Kolhapuri chappals. The team met with local artisans to learn about the traditional craft. Discussions about a potential collaboration are underway. This partnership aims to preserve the art form and provide economic support. The Bombay High Court dismissed a PIL filed against Prada. After the controversy around their usage of 'Kolhapuri-like footwear' at a Milan fashion show , some officials from Italian luxury brand Prada visited Kolhapur recently and met sellers and artisans involved in creating the iconic Kolhapuri chappals . A showcase of craftsmanship and heritage, let's look at what makes Kolhapuris so popular. The reason behind the controversy Prada, in its Spring/Summer 2026 men's collection in Milan, featured sandals just like the iconic Kolhapuri chappals. This caught attention and received much criticism. The reason? Something with cultural significance was borrowed by a global brand without any acknowledgement or fair credit. The controversy took a legal turn when a PIL was filed seeking a public apology from the luxury brand. However, on Wednesday, the PIL was dismissed by the Bombay High Court. The latest update Prada's four-member team, including pattern-making manager Daniele Contu, director of the men's technical and production department (footwear division) Paolo Tiveron, external consultant Andrea Pollastrelli, and external consultant Roberto Pollastrelli, visited Kolhapur on Tuesday to interact with the artisans and gain insight into the traditional craft. Talks of a possible collaboration in the future with the artisans and supply chain have been doing the rounds, that may help with preservation of the art form, cultural appreciation, and economic support. The visit is a result of a virtual meeting, where discussions took place between the designer brand and officials from Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA) about a possible partnership model. How to spot an OG Kolhapuri chappal An original leather Kolhapuri chappal won't be the shiniest. There should be visible stitching. Look for artistic stamping and intricate lining. Some categories of Kolhapuri chappals don't have a braiding or veni. There will be tiny pores on the surface of the chappals. An original Kolhapuri chappal generally costs over Rs 1,000. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Origin stories Kolhapuri chappals are believed to have originated around the 12th century, but the modern day variants trace back their roots to the 18th century. Favoured for their sturdiness and comfort factor, the intricate designs, meant to withstand rugged terrain, had travelers and merchants rely on Kolhapuris for long journeys. For the farmers, it meant sturdy footwear with heavy soles, while for the nobles and warriors, the sandals were lighter and ornate. The USP of Kolhapuri chappals Kolhapuri chappals got a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2019 that recognises their unique heritage and regional identity. These chappals are a part of the Maharashtrian cultural fabric and proof of sustainable artistry . Some artisans also make these chappals in Karnataka. Handcrafted and hand-stitched, a traditional pair of authentic Kolhapuri chappals takes days to create and is made of pure leather. The thick sole is said to be made from a piece of handcrafted leather. What's also unique about these sandals is the leather braiding and stitching, and a peculiar sound they make when you walk in them. There are a variety of styles and patterns available that blend tradition and contemporary. The beauty of any handmade item is in its imperfections. If everything in a Kolhapuri chappal seems perfect, including the stitching, then the pair is either semi-handmade or machine-made — Shubham Satpute, co-owner of a Kolhapur-based brand manufacturing Kolhapuri chappals since 1902 Once, I had worked with the late Laxmikant Berde. I asked him if he could get me Kolhapuri chappals and he got them for me. These are the most beautiful chappals I have ever had and they are handmade. I love them — Neena Gupta, in a video shared on Instagram Aditya Roy Kapur is one of the many celebs who love wearing Kolhapuri chappals A photo that Kareena Kapoor Khan shared amid the Prada-Kolhapuri controversy, wearing her 'OG' Kolhapuris while lounging by the pool Prada or Plagiarised? Kolhapuri Chappals Walk the Milan Runway Prada falls for Kolhapuri chappals: Luxury giant eyes collaboration with artisans; visit sparks global hope PIL over 'Kolhapuri-like' Prada sandals dismissed by Bombay High Court Technical experts from Prada visit Kolhapur, interact with artisans
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First Post
2 days ago
- Business
- First Post
Fashion Police: Amid Kolhapuri scandal row, Italian luxury brand Prada arrives Kolhapur - here's why
The team of Paolo Tiveron, director of the men's technical and production department — footwear division; Daniele Contu, pattern-making manager — footwear division; and external consultants Andrea Pollastrelli and Roberto Pollastrelli had an online meeting with executives from the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (MACCIA) prior to their visit read more Italian luxury brand Prada's four members visited in Maharashtra's Kolhapur to understand the craft of making the Kolhapuri chappal on Tuesday and Wednesday. The team of Paolo Tiveron, director of the men's technical and production department — footwear division; Daniele Contu, pattern-making manager — footwear division; and external consultants Andrea Pollastrelli and Roberto Pollastrelli had an online meeting with executives from the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (MACCIA) prior to their visit. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On their second day visit, the team toured
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
After global misstep, Italian luxury brand Prada walks into Kolhapur
A four-member team from Italian luxury brand Prada visited Kolhapur in Maharashtra on Tuesday and Wednesday to understand the craft of making the Kolhapuri chappal. The team included Paolo Tiveron, director of the men's technical and production department — footwear division; Daniele Contu, pattern-making manager — footwear division; and external consultants Andrea Pollastrelli and Roberto Pollastrelli. Prior to their visit, the team had an online meeting on July 11 with executives from the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (MACCIA). During their two-day visit, the team toured four clusters in and around Kolhapur where Kolhapuri chappals are made, including Subhash Nagar, Jawahar Nagar, Kandalgaon, and Kagal village — the last of which is home to a cluster of women artisans. The visit comes in the wake of a controversy surrounding Prada's Spring/Summer 2026 collection, which featured models wearing footwear resembling Kolhapuri chappals during Milan Fashion Week last month. The sandals, priced at around ~1 lakh, drew backlash for failing to credit India as the source of inspiration. 'The team from Prada has been in India for the last two days to evaluate our production facilities. While their standards are very different from ours, they will return to Italy and issue a report on the same,' Lalit Gandhi, president of MACCIA, told Business Standard. Gandhi added that, if all goes well, Prada's business team will visit Mumbai in August to discuss how to move the proposal forward. MACCIA has also recommended that Prada consider adding four more Maharashtra-origin products to its catalogue, including traditional jewellery from the region. In June, MACCIA had written to Prada regarding the use of the Kolhapuri chappal in its fashion show. In response, Prada said: 'We acknowledge that the sandals featured in the recent Prada Men's 2026 Fashion Show are inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear with a centuries-old heritage. We deeply recognise the cultural significance of such Indian craftsmanship.' The letter further said: 'We are committed to responsible design practices, fostering cultural engagement, and opening a dialogue for meaningful exchange with local Indian artisan communities —as we have done in past collection s— to ensure rightful recognition of their craft.' Separately, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday dismissed a public interest litigation filed against Prada for its alleged use of the Kolhapuri chappal design. The plea had argued that the chappal is protected as a Geographical Indication under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act. (With inputs from PTI)
News18
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Prada Team Visits Kolhapur To Meet Local Artisans Amid Kolhapuri Sandal Row
Last Updated: They met with local artisans in Jawahar Nagar, a hub for Kolhapuri chappal-making, and interacted with craftsmen Italian fashion brand Prada, under fire for showcasing Kolhapuri-style slippers without acknowledging their Indian roots, sent a team to Kolhapur to learn more about the traditional craft on Wednesday. The visit comes days after Prada's Spring/Summer 2026 show at Milan Fashion Week, where models wore leather slippers, resembling Kolhapuri chappals. Priced at around Rs 1.2 lakh, the footwear sparked backlash in India as it wasn't credited or linked to its cultural origin. To address the concerns, six senior members of Prada's footwear division visited Kolhapur. The team included Paolo Tiveron, head of men's footwear production, Daniele Contu, a pattern-making manager, and others. They met with local artisans in Jawahar Nagar, a hub for Kolhapuri chappal-making, and interacted with craftsmen like Shubham Satpute, Balu Gawli, and Sunil Lokre. 'A team has come from Italy to check all the manufacturing units of Kohapuri chappals and to see the technical parts as Prada enters the retail market in Kolhapur, " said a vendor. In response, Prada said it was committed to responsible design and open to collaborating with Indian artisans. The company also expressed interest in a limited-edition 'Made in India" collection inspired by Kolhapuri designs, aiming for a more respectful and collaborative approach going forward. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: July 16, 2025, 14:29 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Prada team visits artisans to explore collaboration on Kolhapuri chappals
1 2 3 4 5 6 Kolhapur: Unique handcrafted Kolhapuri chappals that whisper quiet elegance, epitomise sustainable artistry, all the while adapting beautifully to seasonal weather, captivated a team from luxury fashion brand Prada on Tuesday. A team of four technical experts from the Italy-based global fashion brand Prada was in Kolhapur on Tuesday to interact with artisans who produce the iconic Kolhapuri chappals and took finished footwear as well as various completed and unfinished parts with them. After exhibiting the footwear at its Milan show without naming the Kolhapuri chappal, Prada chose to engage with the artisans responsible for making the footwear. In a recent meeting with the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA), the fashion giant expressed a desire to collaborate with local artisans and supply chains and to conduct business in the future. Consequently, Prada sent a team led by Paolo Tiveron, the director of the men's technical and production department (footwear division). The team included Daniele Contu, pattern-making manager of the footwear division, and two external consultants, Andrea Pollastrelli and Roberto Pollastrelli. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Resmed AirSense 11 with flat 20% off ResMed Buy Now Undo MACCIA president Lalit Gandhi assisted the team in visiting Subhash Nagar, the centre of Kolhapuri chappal manufacturing. Bhupal Shete, a manufacturer and seller of Kolhapuri chappals who is also the director of the Kolhapuri chappal cluster, was with the Prada team during the visit. "In the past, through govt intiatives, we have showcased the footwear in countries such as Egypt, Singapore and a few others. It helped the artisans and sellers as the demand grew. We fought to get a Geographical Indication tag for Kolhapuri chappals. We told the Prada team that these chappals can help feet remain healthy as these provide warmth when its cold, and stay cool during the summers. With the help of Prada, global markets will open up for Kolhapuri chappals and the art will be preserved." Shubham Satpute, a fourth-generation chappal maker, told TOI, "The team members asked us how the stripes are made, how the stitches are done, and how many chappals we can make every month. They gathered information on the chappal-making process. I told them about the uniqueness and the things which only artisans from Kolhapur can accomplish, such as design, hand stitches, leather braiding, and treatment of leather. We gave one antique pair of Kolhapuri chappals to the Prada team. They also took various samples of braids, finished, and other unfinished parts." TOI has written to Prada seeking details of the visit, and a reply is awaited. Gandhi said this is the first time representatives of the company, with a turnover of Rs 50,000 crore, had come to Subhash Nagar. "The Prada controversy has helped take Kolhapuri chappal to the global stage. Now, the next team of Prada, which is associated with the business aspect of the trade, will come to Kolhapur in the first week of Aug," Gandhi said. The Prada team stayed in Kolhapur and is likely to visit Chappal Line, the famous lane of Kolhapuri chappal shops near the Mahalaxmi temple on Wednesday morning before leaving for Milan, said Gandhi.
