Latest news with #PradaKolhapuri
News18
4 days ago
- Business
- News18
'India Will Get Due Credit': Piyush Goyal On Prada Using Kolhapuris As Inspiration
Last Updated: Piyush Goyal said the Commerce Ministry ensured India gets credit for the Prada Kolhapuri chappal design. Prada acknowledged the Indian inspiration after criticism. Union Minister of Trade and Industry, Piyush Goyal reacted to the ongoing Prada Kolhapuri chappal row. He told reporters that after the recently signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United Kingdom, India will get due credit for its design. In June 2025, Italian luxury brand Prada unveiled its Spring/Summer 2026 menswear collection featuring open-toe leather sandals. Furthermore, the Union minister also said Kolhapuris are India's GI product and when its design was used by a global brand, the Commerce Ministry took immediate action. '… When a global brand used the design of our Kolhapuri chappals, Commerce Ministry immediately took action on it. Going forward, when the Kolhapuri chappal is exported, India will get the due credit for its design. It is India's GI product," Goyal said. He also added that several global brands are willing to collaborate with Indian markets and take our products to the global audience. 'Many global brands are expressing their desire to associate their names with India's products and sell them in global markets. The Kolhapuri Chappal can have a business of Rs 8000-10000 crores in the international market," Goyal was quoted by ANI as saying. Prada had described the footwear as 'leather sandals," with no reference to an Indian connection. Upon criticism, Prada recognised and validated Kolhpauris' Indian connection, saying the design is 'inspired" by the Indian handcrafted footwear. Artisans from Maharashtra criticised Prada's move and alleged violation of geographical identification (GI) rights. Following the outrage, Prada accepted the Indian inspiration, but also mentioned that 'the sandals featured in the men's 2026 fashion show are still at the design stage and none of the pieces worn by models on the ramp are confirmed to be commercialised," reported PTI. view comments First Published: 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.
NDTV
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
"Kolhapoori Tarah Se..." - Amul Shares Topical For Prada's Sandal Controversy
Prada, the well-known Italian luxury couture label, recently made headlines for featuring footwear strikingly similar to traditional Indian sandals known as Kolhapuris chappals. The sandals were showcased at the Paris Men's Fashion Week 2025. It sparked heated debate about cultural appropriation. The eye-wateringly high price of these Prada Kolhapuri 'lookalikes' (around Rs 1.2 lakh) raised many eyebrows. Some days later, in an exclusive statement to NDTV, Prada acknowledged that its sandals had been inspired by traditional footwear made in specific districts of Maharashtra and Karnataka. Nevertheless, discussions around the controversy have continued. Popular Indian dairy brand Amul just released a special topical about the same. Also Read: "This ISS Wonderful" - Amul Celebrates Sunita Williams' Return From Space Amul often offers commentary on trending topics and issues of public concern through its illustrations. As usual, it does so with some wit, humour and/or wordplay. The Prada-Kolhapuri topical is no different. One half of the topical shows someone, probably a model, wearing Kolhapuris. The other part of the illustration depicts an Indian man attired in a turban holding up the iconic sandal, which has a distinctive shape. He is seen pointing to it with his other hand. "Kolhapoori tarah se copy hai," reads the text on top of the topical. This contains wordplay, since "Poori tarah se copy hai" translates to "It's a complete copy." The text at the bottom declares, "Amul. The original taste." The caption reads, "#Amul Topical: Prada accused of copying Indian footwear!" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amul - The Taste of India (@amul_india) Before this, Amul had shared a topical for another kind of controversy taking the world by storm. It released an illustration about the feud between US President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk. "What goes up, Musk come down," read the punny text on top. Click here to read the full story.
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kolhapuri goes to Milan: From Rs 150 streets to Rs 1 lakh runway sandals
In 1998, Jaya Jaitly, craft revivalist and founder of Dastkari Haat Samiti, visited the chappal makers of Kolhapur in southern Maharashtra to do an in-depth study of their conditions. She saw over 100 little chappal shops in the city, where artisans worked from 6 am to 8 pm every day. Their chappals sold for Rs 70-90 and the soft foldable ones for a princely Rs 150. The price has gone up to Rs 1,500-2,500. And then June 2025 happened. Prada sent male models down its Spring/ Summer 2026 runway at the Milan Fashion Week, with around 7 of the 56 looks featuring sandals that bore a striking resemblance to the Kolhapuris . The luxury fashion house, however, called it 'leather flat sandals'. Social media was abuzz that the sandals cost over Rs 1 lakh, though Prada has not made any statement about its commercialisation. Jaitly says Prada needs to honourably give a nod to the centuries of production of this specific design in Kolhapur, which enjoys a geographical indication (GI) tag. On Saturday, in a statement to ET, Prada did that, acknowledging that the sandals were 'inspired by traditional Indian footwear made in specific districts in Maharashtra and Karnataka'. It also said they 'are in contact with the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture on this topic'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo India is enjoying a moment in global fashion. After Prada, the Pharrell Williams x Louis Vuitton show, 'Paris to India', at Milan had music by AR Rahman and a carpet with a snake-and-ladder motif designed by Bijoy Jain. Last month, the dupatta was sold as Scandinavian scarf by Reformation, and the Japanese lifestyle brand Puebco advertised Indian market bags for Rs 4,000. Writer Shobhaa De, a lifelong wearer of the iconic Kolhapuri chappals, says these have been her go-to footwear, right from college, though she admits it's getting harder to find a good pair. She doesn't see the Prada Kolhapuri as a 'threat'. 'What's disheartening is that Prada did not bother to identify this unique footwear. It is NOT a sandal—it is a chappal! But maybe the buzz around the Prada Kolhapuri will inspire young fashionistas to rediscover our Kolhapuri and indirectly support its revival.' Live Events Getty Images SHOE STOPPER De could be right. Since the Prada show on June 22, Google Trends has shown a spike in searches for Kolhapuris. Harshwardhan Patwardhan, founder of Pune-based, Kolhapuri-first footwear brand Chappers, has seen an uptick in the buzz around his brand, with a 400500% jump in social media engagement. Its physical stores in Pune and Nashik, apart from 100 stockists across India, have had more walk-ins than before. Chondamma Cariappa, founder of The Sole Sisters , known for its colourful Kolhapuris, too says there has been a significant increase in sales and inquiries along with a noticeable rise in social media activity. After the Prada show, netizens were up in arms, demanding credit. However, Shwetasree Majumder, managing partner, Fidus Law Chambers, who specialises in GI matters, says the Prada controversy is misplaced. She says a GI tag does not mean the holder has legal recourse against Prada for inspiration. 'A GI registration is given under a domestic law. A chappal has to be made in certain districts of Maharashtra and Karnataka and with specific materials, tools, techniques and dyes to be a Kolhapuri chappal. Prada primarily makes its leather sandals in Italy. The GI law has no applicability to perceived 'lookalikes',' she says. She says had Prada sold its chappals as Kolhapuris, it would have been an infringement of GI. 'The GI law prohibits a craft that is not from that specific geography from being called by that particular name.' CAREFUL INNOVATIONS Meanwhile, Indian designers too have been reinventing the wheel. Patwardhan, who has worn Kolhapuris all his life, started his brand in 2015 after he felt the centuries-old design— vegetable-dyed leather, handsewn and flat—could do with an upgrade. He tanned the leather with chromium salts to make it softer. He added contemporary colours, memory foam to the sole and an anti-skid base. He says, 'The intention is to change with the trends but not at the cost of the craft.' The sentiment is echoed by Cariappa and Aprajita Toor, who operate in the premium luxury segment, with Kolhapuris starting at Rs 3,500. Aprajita Toor, founder of an eponymous label she started in 2011, says she not only admires the Kolhapuri but lives in it. 'The true beauty of the Kolhapuri lies in its versatility, it moves fluidly across eras, aesthetics and wardrobes, yet never loses its essence.' It is a sentiment echoed by wearers as the chappal works as daywear, nightwear and even occasionwear. Fashion commentator Prasad Bidapa says, 'The craft of Kolhapuris stands at a crossroads today. A craft must adapt to stay relevant, but this should be done thoughtfully, respecting its heritage and the artisans who have preserved it.' He says only when brands strike a balance between innovation and preservation can Kolhapuris thrive and evolve while maintaining their cultural significance. Agrees Toor, who says that, for her, it was never about reinvention but respectful reinterpretation. She adds, 'What makes it timeless is its rootedness. The Kolhapuri is more than a mere footwear, it's a living legacy. We have consistently experimented with it and, in many ways, pioneered new silhouettes and design languages, but never at the cost of the story that grounds it.' She has worked with refined textures, intricate embroideries and structural elements like heels. Cariappa calls the Kolhapuri the quintessential Indian shoe. She says she keeps the base intact and uses it as a canvas to showcase various crafts in a manner that is fresh—like adding colour and accents like palm weave or handwoven cane wicker craft. Craft and design historian Tanishka Kachru, senior faculty, exhibition design, National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, says artisans should have full ownership of the design of Kolhapuri chappals as it is their innovation over centuries that has shaped the cultural identity of the footwear. However, she says the fashion industry can provide a huge boost: 'This visibility [thanks to Prada] could drive demand and in turn open up space for artisanal innovation and bring economic benefits to the community.' Toor says the chappals will remain iconic, thanks to its ability to adapt. She says, 'That fluidity is what gives it cultural weight.' The Prada Kolhapuri is probably the push the chappal needs to walk the talk.
Economic Times
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Kolhapuri goes to Milan: From Rs 150 streets to Rs 1 lakh runway sandals
IANS Prada has officially admitted that the Kolhapuri Chappals, featured in the recent Prada Men's 2026 Fashion Show, is inspired by India's handcrafted footwear traditions. In 1998, Jaya Jaitly, craft revivalist and founder of Dastkari Haat Samiti, visited the chappal makers of Kolhapur in southern Maharashtra to do an in-depth study of their conditions. She saw over 100 little chappal shops in the city, where artisans worked from 6 am to 8 pm every day. Their chappals sold for Rs 70-90 and the soft foldable ones for a princely Rs 150. The price has gone up to Rs 1,500-2,500. And then June 2025 happened. Prada sent male models down its Spring/ Summer 2026 runway at the Milan Fashion Week, with around 7 of the 56 looks featuring sandals that bore a striking resemblance to the Kolhapuris. The luxury fashion house, however, called it 'leather flat sandals'. Social media was abuzz that the sandals cost over Rs 1 lakh, though Prada has not made any statement about its commercialisation. Jaitly says Prada needs to honourably give a nod to the centuries of production of this specific design in Kolhapur, which enjoys a geographical indication (GI) tag. On Saturday, in a statement to ET, Prada did that, acknowledging that the sandals were 'inspired by traditional Indian footwear made in specific districts in Maharashtra and Karnataka'. It also said they 'are in contact with the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture on this topic'. India is enjoying a moment in global fashion. After Prada, the Pharrell Williams x Louis Vuitton show, 'Paris to India', at Milan had music by AR Rahman and a carpet with a snake-and-ladder motif designed by Bijoy Jain. Last month, the dupatta was sold as Scandinavian scarf by Reformation, and the Japanese lifestyle brand Puebco advertised Indian market bags for Rs 4,000. Writer Shobhaa De, a lifelong wearer of the iconic Kolhapuri chappals, says these have been her go-to footwear, right from college, though she admits it's getting harder to find a good pair. She doesn't see the Prada Kolhapuri as a 'threat'. 'What's disheartening is that Prada did not bother to identify this unique footwear. It is NOT a sandal—it is a chappal! But maybe the buzz around the Prada Kolhapuri will inspire young fashionistas to rediscover our Kolhapuri and indirectly support its revival.' De could be right. Since the Prada show on June 22, Google Trends has shown a spike in searches for Kolhapuris. Harshwardhan Patwardhan, founder of Pune-based, Kolhapuri-first footwear brand Chappers, has seen an uptick in the buzz around his brand, with a 400500% jump in social media engagement. Its physical stores in Pune and Nashik, apart from 100 stockists across India, have had more walk-ins than before. Chondamma Cariappa, founder of The Sole Sisters, known for its colourful Kolhapuris, too says there has been a significant increase in sales and inquiries along with a noticeable rise in social media activity. After the Prada show, netizens were up in arms, demanding Shwetasree Majumder, managing partner, Fidus Law Chambers, who specialises in GI matters, says the Prada controversy is misplaced. She says a GI tag does not mean the holder has legal recourse against Prada for inspiration. 'A GI registration is given under a domestic law. A chappal has to be made in certain districts of Maharashtra and Karnataka and with specific materials, tools, techniques and dyes to be a Kolhapuri chappal. Prada primarily makes its leather sandals in Italy. The GI law has no applicability to perceived 'lookalikes',' she says had Prada sold its chappals as Kolhapuris, it would have been an infringement of GI. 'The GI law prohibits a craft that is not from that specific geography from being called by that particular name.' Meanwhile, Indian designers too have been reinventing the wheel. Patwardhan, who has worn Kolhapuris all his life, started his brand in 2015 after he felt the centuries-old design— vegetable-dyed leather, handsewn and flat—could do with an upgrade. He tanned the leather with chromium salts to make it softer. He added contemporary colours, memory foam to the sole and an anti-skid base. He says, 'The intention is to change with the trends but not at the cost of the craft.' The sentiment is echoed by Cariappa and Aprajita Toor, who operate in the premium luxury segment, with Kolhapuris starting at Rs 3,500. Aprajita Toor, founder of an eponymous label she started in 2011, says she not only admires the Kolhapuri but lives in it. 'The true beauty of the Kolhapuri lies in its versatility, it moves fluidly across eras, aesthetics and wardrobes, yet never loses its essence.' It is a sentiment echoed by wearers as the chappal works as daywear, nightwear and even occasionwear. Fashion commentator Prasad Bidapa says, 'The craft of Kolhapuris stands at a crossroads today. A craft must adapt to stay relevant, but this should be done thoughtfully, respecting its heritage and the artisans who have preserved it.' He says only when brands strike a balance between innovation and preservation can Kolhapuris thrive and evolve while maintaining their cultural Toor, who says that, for her, it was never about reinvention but respectful reinterpretation. She adds, 'What makes it timeless is its rootedness. The Kolhapuri is more than a mere footwear, it's a living legacy. We have consistently experimented with it and, in many ways, pioneered new silhouettes and design languages, but never at the cost of the story that grounds it.' She has worked with refined textures, intricate embroideries and structural elements like calls the Kolhapuri the quintessential Indian shoe. She says she keeps the base intact and uses it as a canvas to showcase various crafts in a manner that is fresh—like adding colour and accents like palm weave or handwoven cane wicker and design historian Tanishka Kachru, senior faculty, exhibition design, National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, says artisans should have full ownership of the design of Kolhapuri chappals as it is their innovation over centuries that has shaped the cultural identity of the footwear. However, she says the fashion industry can provide a huge boost: 'This visibility [thanks to Prada] could drive demand and in turn open up space for artisanal innovation and bring economic benefits to the community.'Toor says the chappals will remain iconic, thanks to its ability to adapt. She says, 'That fluidity is what gives it cultural weight.' The Prada Kolhapuri is probably the push the chappal needs to walk the talk.
