Latest news with #Kolhapuri-inspired
Business of Fashion
21 hours ago
- Business
- Business of Fashion
Prada Eyes ‘Made in India' Collaboration After Sandal Scandal
Prada is looking to collaborate with 'artisanal footwear' makers in India in a partnership, it said on Friday, two weeks after the Italian luxury group triggered a controversy by debuting ethnic sandals resembling 12th-century Indian ones. After viral photos from a Milan fashion show drew criticism from Indian artisans who make the sandals - named after the historic city of Kolhapur in Maharashtra state - Prada was forced late last month to acknowledge that its new open-toe footwear was inspired by ancient Indian designs. The furore even saw sales of Indian sandals boom, with sellers and artisans seeing the controversy as a way to promote the heritage craft by tapping into nationalist pride. Prada said in a statement to Reuters that it held talks remotely on Friday with the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, which represents 3,000 Kolhapuri sandal artisans, and discussed potential opportunities for future collaboration. 'The next step will be for Prada's supply chain team to meet a range of artisanal footwear manufacturers,' the company said. The Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce said that Lorenzo Bertelli, son of Prada's owners and head of its corporate social responsibility, joined the talks on Friday. The chamber of commerce said that during the talks Prada said it aimed to launch a limited-edition 'Made in India' Kolhapuri-inspired collection of sandals in partnership with Indian artisans. India's luxury market is small but growing, with the rich splurging on designer fashion, top end sports cars and pricey watches. Prada does not have any retail stores in India, and its products are usually reserved for the super rich who shop overseas. The sandal scandal left the social media abuzz for days with criticism and sarcastic memes, with Indian politicians, artisans and the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce demanding due credit to Indian heritage. By Dhwani Pandya, Elisa Anzolin, Abinaya Vijayaraghavan; Editors: Aditya Kalra, Susan Fenton Learn more: After Prada 'Sandal Scandal,' Indian Sellers Tap Nationalist Pride to Boost Sales Sales are surging for the 'Kolhapuri' sandals that garnered global attention after Prada sparked a controversy by showing a similar design on the runway without crediting its origin.
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Made in India next? Will Prada's 'sandal scandal' spark real change?
After viral runway photos drew criticism from Indian artisans, Prada admitted its new open-toe sandals were inspired by traditional Kolhapuri designs. Photo: Reuters Prada is looking to collaborate with "artisanal footwear" makers in India in a partnership, it said on Friday (July 11), two weeks after the Italian luxury group triggered a controversy by debuting ethnic sandals resembling 12th-century Indian ones. After viral photos from a Milan fashion show drew criticism from Indian artisans who make the sandals – named after the historic city of Kolhapur in Maharashtra state, Prada was forced late last month to acknowledge that its new open-toe footwear was inspired by ancient Indian designs. The furore even saw sales of Indian sandals boom, with sellers and artisans seeing the controversy as a way to promote the heritage craft by tapping into nationalist pride. Read more: What to know about the Prada 'sandal scandal' and India's Kolhapuri comeback Prada said in a statement that it held talks remotely on Friday (July 11) with the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, which represents 3,000 Kolhapuri sandal artisans, and discussed potential opportunities for future collaboration. "The next step will be for Prada's supply chain team to meet a range of artisanal footwear manufacturers," the company said. The Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce said that Lorenzo Bertelli, son of Prada's owners and head of its corporate social responsibility, joined the talks on Friday (July 11). The chamber of commerce said that during the talks Prada said it aimed to launch a limited-edition "Made in India" Kolhapuri-inspired collection of sandals in partnership with Indian artisans. Read more: Menswear puts its best foot forward, as toe-baring styles step onto the runway India's luxury market is small but growing, with the rich splurging on designer fashion, top end sports cars and pricey watches. Prada does not have any retail stores in India, and its products are usually reserved for the super rich who shop overseas. The sandal scandal left the social media abuzz for days with criticism and sarcastic memes, with Indian politicians, artisans and the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce demanding due credit to Indian heritage. – Reuters
Observer
2 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Prada looks at collaboration with Indian footwear artisans after sandal scandal
Prada is looking to collaborate with "artisanal footwear" makers in India in a partnership, it said on Friday, two weeks after the Italian luxury group triggered a controversy by debuting ethnic sandals resembling 12th-century Indian ones. After viral photos from a Milan fashion show drew criticism from Indian artisans who make the sandals - named after the historic city of Kolhapur in Maharashtra state - Prada was forced late last month to acknowledge that its new open-toe footwear was inspired by ancient Indian designs. The furore even saw sales of Indian sandals boom, with sellers and artisans seeing the controversy as a way to promote the heritage craft by tapping into nationalist pride. Prada said in a statement to Reuters that it held talks remotely on Friday with the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, which represents 3,000 Kolhapuri sandal artisans, and discussed potential opportunities for future collaboration. "The next step will be for Prada's supply chain team to meet a range of artisanal footwear manufacturers," the company said. The Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce said that Lorenzo Bertelli, son of Prada's owners and head of its corporate social responsibility, joined the talks on Friday. The chamber of commerce said that during the talks Prada said it aimed to launch a limited-edition "Made in India" Kolhapuri-inspired collection of sandals in partnership with Indian artisans. India's luxury market is small but growing, with the rich splurging on designer fashion, top end sports cars and pricey watches. Prada does not have any retail stores in India, and its products are usually reserved for the super rich who shop overseas. The sandal scandal left the social media abuzz for days with criticism and sarcastic memes, with Indian politicians, artisans and the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce demanding due credit to Indian heritage. —Reuters
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Prada seeks help from Indian artisans
Prada is looking to collaborate with "artisanal footwear" makers in India in a partnership, it said on Friday, two weeks after the Italian luxury group triggered a controversy by debuting ethnic sandals resembling 12th-century Indian ones. After viral photos from a Milan fashion show drew criticism from Indian artisans who make the sandals - named after the historic city of Kolhapur in Maharashtra state - Prada was forced late last month to acknowledge that its new open-toe footwear was inspired by ancient Indian designs. The furore even saw sales of Indian sandals boom, with sellers and artisans seeing the controversy as a way to promote the heritage craft by tapping into nationalist pride. Prada said in a statement to Reuters that it held talks remotely on Friday with the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, which represents 3,000 Kolhapuri sandal artisans, and discussed potential opportunities for future collaboration. "The next step will be for Prada's supply chain team to meet a range of artisanal footwear manufacturers," the company said. The Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce said that Lorenzo Bertelli, son of Prada's owners and head of its corporate social responsibility, joined the talks on Friday. The chamber of commerce said that during the talks Prada said it aimed to launch a limited-edition "Made in India" Kolhapuri-inspired collection of sandals in partnership with Indian artisans. India's luxury market is small but growing, with the rich splurging on designer fashion, top end sports cars and pricey watches. Prada does not have any retail stores in India, and its products are usually reserved for the super rich who shop overseas. The sandal scandal left the social media abuzz for days with criticism and sarcastic memes, with Indian politicians, artisans and the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce demanding due credit to Indian heritage.
The Print
3 days ago
- Business
- The Print
Prada keen to launch limited-edition ‘Kolhapuri-inspired' collection: MACCIA
'Prada expressed intent to launch a limited-edition Made-in-India Kolhapuri-inspired collection in partnership with local artisans,' an official statement from MACCIA said. Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture, which held a virtual meeting with senior Prada officials earlier in the day, said a technical expert team from the Italian fashion brand will be visiting India next week to identify local supply chain partners for Kolhapuri chappal. Mumbai, Jul 11 (PTI) Italian fashion major Prada on Friday expressed its intention to launch a Kolhapuri-inspired collection in partnership with local artisans, an industry grouping has said. It can be noted that the use of the centuries-old craft of Kolhapuri sandals (chappal) by Prada in a fashion show last month triggered a controversy on the contributions of Indian artisans and the way they are leveraged by global brands. MACCIA president Lalit Gandhi told PTI that the Italian team visiting India next week will examine product facilities, look at how those match up to their standards and define the systems for the way ahead. In the meeting, which had a slew of Prada officials — including chief business development officer Roberto Massardi and group head of corporate social responsibility Lorenzo Bertelli, among others — the Italian group has committed to include the 'Kolhapuri' mention in all its publications and commercialise the offering only after complying with GI (geographical indication) requirements, he added. As per MACCIA, Prada presented their 'early vision' for a Made-in-India 'Kolhapuri collection, and also cited successes behind similar tie-ups with Peru, Japan, and Scotland in the past. In the meeting, the chamber appealed to Prada for expanding the proposed collaboration beyond the Kolhapuri chappal to include heritage crafts, such as Paithani weaving, Himroo textiles, Bichwas/Payal (anklets), and regional embroidery work. 'Prada responded positively and agreed to explore these crafts for potential integration into future collections,' the industry grouping said. Gandhi said MACCIA has also asked Prada to set up an excellence lab in Maharashtra for spotting and sourcing, which will help the local wares get access to premium markets the world over. At least four representatives from Kolhapur closely associated with the chappal sector were part of the meeting, apart from some officials from MACCIA, Gandhi said. PTI AA BAL BAL This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
