Latest news with #fashioncontroversy
Daily Mail
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ivanka Trump sparks uproar for controversial fashion choice during Wyoming trip
Ivanka Trump and husband Jared Kushner recently went West - with the first daughter sharing a carousel of pictures from the recent trip to Wyoming. The 43-year-old donned a series of western-themed outfits for her time in the Mountain West sub region - but one item of clothing in particular has sparked a furious response. In two of the snapshots shared by the mom-of-three, she was seen wearing a short mini skirt which featured a Native American print and tassels, sparking outrage from fans over apparent cultural appropriation. 'The skirt I'm sure was inspired by indigenous people something you and your family have no respect for,' criticized one horrified user. 'That outfit looks ridiculous on you... really,' one user slammed. 'Cultural appropriation!' admonished someone else. Another chimed in that the 'indigenous outfit is cultural appropriation.' 'Are these Halloween outfits? Incredible,' joked another. Ivanka had paired the skirt with white cowgirl boots and a black sleeveless shirt in one snap. And, in another picture shared, she accessorized with a denim jacket and small brown bag as she cuddled up and posed next to her 44-year-old husband. As per Native Blog, cultural appropriation of Native fashion in the United States has suggests not only that Native American life and cultures existed only in the past, but also that Native clothing is mere costuming, primitive, warlike or only for mascots. According to Travel Wyoming, the state has been home to many Plains Indian tribes, including the Arapaho, Arikara, Bannock, Blackfeet, Cheyenne, Crow, Gros Ventre, Kiowa, Nez Perce, Sheep Eater, Sioux, Shoshone and Ute tribes. Today, both the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho reside on Wyoming's Wind River Indian Reservation, the site noted. In another snapshot from the trip, Ivanka wore a sage green dress with long sleeves and a long, flowing skirt. She paired it with a boho disco belt on her hips and her white cowgirl boots. It is not known when the pictures were taken, with Ivanka adding a simple caption that read: 'A couple summer Fridays ago…' It is not the first time the husband and wife have visited the western state, spending a remote July 4th weekend there in 2020, as well as attending her brother-in-law Joshua Kushner's star-studded Western-themed second wedding to model Karlie Kloss in 2019. In another snapshot from the trip, Ivanka wore a sage green dress with long sleeves and a long, flowing skirt. She paired it with a boho disco belt on her hips and her white cowgirl boots Just last month, Ivanka and her family - Jared, plus their three kids - Arabella, 13, Joseph, 10, and Theodore, eight, were seen in Venice for pals Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos' wedding. The family were seen doing some exploring around Venice before the festivities officially kicked off - with Donald Trump's grandkids all smiles for the outing. Since then, Ivanka was also spotted at 'billionaire summer camp' - also known as Allen & Co.'s annual leadership retreat - in Sun Valley, Idaho. The summer retreat included some laid-back activities like biking and hiking, per The Observer, but most importantly, the moguls were there for business. Also on the agenda were 'high-level meetings and private lectures,' the outlet reported, many of which are confidential and closed off to the public and media.
BBC News
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Prada- Kolhapuri controversy: Why luxury brands keep getting India wrong
A recent controversy surrounding Italian luxury label Prada has put the spotlight on how global fashion giants engage with India - a country whose rich artistic traditions have often suffered because of its inability to cash in on got into trouble in June after its models walked the runway in Milan wearing a toe-braided sandal that looked like the Kolhapuri chappal, a handcrafted leather shoe made in India. The sandals are named after Kolhapur - a town in the western state of Maharashtra where they have been made for centuries - but the Prada collection did not mention this, prompting a backlash. As the controversy grew, Prada issued a statement saying it acknowledged the sandals' origins and that it was open to a "dialogue for meaningful exchange with local Indian artisans". Over the past few days, a team from Prada met the artisans and shopkeepers in Kolhapur who make and sell the sandals to understand the process. Prada told the BBC that it held a "successful meeting" with the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture, a prominent industry trade statement also indicates that Prada may potentially collaborate in future with some manufacturers of Kolhapuri it's not clear what form this collaboration may take, it's a rare example of a global fashion giant acknowledging that it failed to credit local artisans and the craft it was piggybacking big brands have been routinely accused of drawing inspiration from Indian, and wider South Asian, traditions in their quest to reinvent and stay relevant - but without crediting the this year, spring designs from Reformation and H&M ignited a fiery debate on cultural appropriation after many said that their outfits appeared heavily inspired by South Asian garments. Both brands issued clarifications - while H&M denied the allegations, Reformation said its design was inspired by an outfit owned by a model with whom it had collaborated for the just two weeks ago, Dior was criticised after its highly-anticipated Paris collection featured a gold and ivory houndstooth coat, which many pointed out was crafted with mukaish work, a centuries-old metal embroidery technique from northern India. The collection did not mention the roots of the craft or India at BBC has reached out to Dior for comment. Some experts say that not every brand that draws inspiration from a culture does so with wrong intentions - designers around the world invoke aesthetics from different traditions all the time, spotlighting them on a global the highly competitive landscape of fashion, some argue that brands also don't get enough time to think through the cultural ramifications of their critics point out that any borrowing needs to be underpinned by respect and acknowledgement, especially when these ideas are repurposed by powerful global brands to be sold at incredibly high prices."Giving due credit is a part of design responsibility, it's taught to you in design school and brands need to educate themselves about it," says Shefalee Vasudev, a Delhi-based fashion writer. Not doing so, she adds, is "cultural neglect towards a part of the world which brands claim to love".Estimates vary about the size of India's luxury market, but the region is widely seen as a big growth from Boston Consulting Group say the luxury retail market in India is expected to nearly double to $14bn by 2032. Powered by an expanding and affluent middle class, global luxury brands are increasingly eyeing India as a key market as they hope to make up for weaker demand not everyone shares the Singhal, chairman of consultancy firm Technopak, says a big reason for the seeming indifference is that most brands still don't consider India a significant market for high-end luxury recent years, many high-end malls with flagship luxury stores have opened up in big cities - but they rarely see significant footfall."Names like Prada still mean nothing to a majority of Indians. There is some demand among the super-rich, but hardly any first-time customers," Mr Singhal says. "And this is simply not enough to build a business, making it easy to neglect the region altogether." Anand Bhushan, a fashion designer from Delhi, agrees. He says that traditionally, India has always been a production hub rather than a potential market, with some of the most expensive brands in Paris and Milan employing Indian artisans to make or embroider their garments."But that still does not mean you can just blatantly lift a culture without understanding the history and context and brand it for millions of dollars," he frustration, he says, is not focused on any one label but has been building for most memorable misstep, according to him, took place during the Karl Lagerfeld "Paris-Bombay" Métiers d'Art collection, showcased in 2011. The collection featured sari-draped dresses, Nehru-collared jackets and ornate called it a fine example of cultural collaboration, but others argued it relied heavily on clichéd imagery and lacked authentic representation of however, say no brand can afford to write off India as insignificant."We might not be the fastest-growing luxury market like China, but a younger and more sophisticated generation of Indians with different tastes and aspirations is reshaping the landscape of luxury," says Nonita Kalra, editor-in-chief of online luxury store Tata CliQ the case of Prada, she says the brand seemed to have made a "genuine oversight", evident from the lengths to which it has gone to rectify its mistake. For Ms Kalra, the problem is a broader one - where brands based in the west and run by a homogenous group of people end up viewing consumers in other parts of the world through a foreign lens."The lack of diversity is the biggest blind spot of the fashion industry, and brands need to hire people from different parts of the world to change that," she says."But their love and respect for Indian heritage is genuine." The question of cultural appropriation is complex, and the debates it sparks online can seem both overblown and while there are no simple answers, many feel the outrage around Prada has been a great starting point to demand better accountability from brands and designers who, until now, have largely remained is an opportunity for India, too, to reflect on the ways it can support its own heritage and uplift it. Weavers toil for weeks or months to finish one masterpiece, but they often work in precarious conditions without adequate remuneration and with no protection for their work under international intellectual property laws."We don't take enough pride and credit our own artisans, allowing others to walk all over it," Ms Vasudev says."The trouble also is that in India we have simply too much. There are hundreds of different craft techniques and traditions - each with its constantly evolving motif directory going back centuries," says Laila Tyabji, chairperson of Dastkar, which promotes crafts and craftspeople."We bargain and bicker over a pair of fully embroidered juthis (shoes) but have no issues over buying a pair of Nike trainers at 10 times the price - even though the latter has come off an assembly line while each juthi has been painstakingly and uniquely crafted by hand," she while that continues, she says, foreign designers and merchandisers will do the change can only happen, she says, "when we ourselves respect and appreciate them - and have the tools to combat their exploitation".
Al Bawaba
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Bawaba
Prada accused of cultural appropriation after copying India's Kolhapuri sandals
Published July 2nd, 2025 - 09:01 GMT ALBAWABA - Prada, an Italian luxury fashion house, is under fire and accused of cultural appropriation after revealing its latest collections of sandals at Milan Fashion Week. The story began once Prada models took over the red carpet at Milan Fashion Week last week, wearing open-toe leather sandals that are part of the Indian culture; however, the Italian brand failed to mention the sandals' origin, and it only labelled them as "leather sandals". Kolhapuri sandals are an Indian ethnic footwear, and India's Harish Kurade, whose family has been producing those types of sandals for over 100 years, said that despite the Prada move, he is happy. India accuses Prada of cultural appropriation over sandalsOpen-toe Prada footwear showcased at Milan Men's Fashion Week was described as "leather sandals." But those flat leather sandals sparked controversy among Indians, who noted that the design had been stolen from… — DW Asia (@dw_hotspotasia) July 2, 2025 "They [Prada] stole and replicated our crafty work, but we are really happy," said Kurade, according to Al Jazeera. He added: "Today, the world's eyes are on our Kolhapuri 'chappals' [Hindi for sandals]." It is worth mentioning that the sandal is named after India's Kolhapur city in Maharashtra state. Did Prada apologize? PRADA is selling Kolhapuri chappals for ₹1.2 lakh — a design stolen from the Chamar community of India, who've handcrafted them for generations. No credit. No acknowledgment. Just pure cultural theft dressed in luxury branding. Shameful. #CulturalTheft #Kolhapuri — The Dalit Voice (@ambedkariteIND) June 25, 2025 Following the massive backlash, the Italian brand "Prada" made a clear statement that its new sandal designs "are inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage". Prada made an official statement to India's Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce to clarify that the new sandals it showcased at the Spring/Summer 2026 menswear collection are inspired by the Indian "Kolhapuri sandals". © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Did Prada ‘steal' Indian sandal designs without giving credit?
New Delhi, India — When models sashayed down the ramp at Milan Fashion Week last week, Harish Kurade looked at them on his smartphone in awe, sitting in his village in southern Maharashtra state, more than 7,000km (4,350 miles) away. Models were showcasing a new line of open-toe leather sandals, designed by Prada, the iconic luxury fashion house. However, in India, the visuals raised a furore among artisans and politicians after the Italian giant failed to credit the ancient Maharashtra roots of its latest design. 'They [Prada] stole and replicated our crafty work, but we are really happy,' said Kurade in a chirpy tone. 'Today, the world's eyes are on our Kolhapuri 'chappals' [Hindi for sandals].' Kolhapur is a city in Maharashtra after which the sandals are named. After facing backlash, Prada acknowledged that its new sandal designs 'are inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage', in a letter to the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce. While Kurade is chuffed about the centuries-old sandal-making craft from his village potentially gaining global exposure, other artisans, politicians and activists are wary of cultural appropriation and financial exploitation by Prada. So, what is the controversy about? And what are artisans in Kolhapur saying about Prada? Can it change anything for the workers behind the original sandals? Prada showcased the classic T-strapped leather flats at the Spring/Summer 2026 menswear collection at Milan Fashion Week. In its show notes, the Italian brand described the new range of footwear only as 'leather sandals'. The notes made no mention of any Indian connection, despite its uncanny resemblance to Kolhapuri sandals, which are wildly popular across India and often worn on special occasions, such as weddings and festivals, along with traditional Indian clothing. Outraged, a delegation of Kolhapuri sandals manufacturers met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday last week to register their protest. Showing his support for the delegation is Dhananjay Mahadik, a member of parliament from the state's Kolhapur district, belonging to the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Mahadik told reporters that the sandal makers and their supporters are in the process of filing a lawsuit in the Bombay High Court against Prada. Mahadik also wrote to Fadnavis, drawing 'urgent attention to a serious infringement on Maharashtra's cultural identity and artisan rights', and called on him to 'protect the cultural heritage of Maharashtra'. In his letter, he noted that the sandals are reportedly priced at approximately $1,400 a pair. By contrast, the authentic Kolhapuri sandals can be found in local markets for about $12. The Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA) also wrote to Patrizio Bertelli, the chairperson of Prada's Board of Directors, about the concerns of sandal makers. Two days later, the company responded, acknowledging that the design was inspired by the centuries-old Indian sandals. 'We deeply recognise the cultural significance of such Indian craftsmanship. Please note that, for now, the entire collection is currently at an early stage of design development, and none of the pieces are confirmed to be produced or commercialised,' Prada said. The company added that it remains 'committed to responsible design practices, fostering cultural engagement, and opening a dialogue for a meaningful exchange with local Indian artisan communities, as we have done in the past in other collections to ensure the rightful recognition of their craft. 'Prada strives to pay homage and recognise the value of such specialised craftspeople that represent an unrivalled standard of excellence and heritage.' Srihita Vanguri, a fashion entrepreneur from the city of Hyderabad, said that Prada's actions were 'disappointing but not surprising'. 'Luxury brands have a long history of borrowing design elements from traditional crafts without giving due credit – until there's a backlash,' she told Al Jazeera. 'This is cultural appropriation if it stops at inspiration without attribution or benefit-sharing.' Kolhapuris, which the sandals are also known as, are not just a design, she insisted. They carry the legacy of centuries of craft communities in Maharashtra and the neighbouring state of Karnataka. 'Ignoring that context erases real people and livelihoods,' she added. Kolhapur, nestled in southwestern Maharashtra, is a city steeped in royal heritage, spiritual significance and artisanal pride. Beyond its crafts, Kolhapur is also home to several revered Hindu temples and a rich culinary legacy – its food is spicy. Its famed sandals date back to the 12th century, with more than 20,000 local families still involved in this craft. The family of Kurade, who was happy about Prada showcasing the sandals, lives on the outskirts of Kolhapur, and has been in this business for more than 100 years. But he said the business has taken a beating in recent years. 'In India, people don't really understand this craft or want to put money in this any more. If an international brand comes, steals it and showcases it on global platforms, maybe that is good for us,' he told Al Jazeera. He said that craftsmen like those in his family 'still stand where they were years ago'. 'We have the craft and the capacity to move ahead, but the government has not supported us,' the 40-year-old said. Rather, Kurade said, politics has made things worse. Since 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu majoritarian government came to power in New Delhi, cows have transformed from just symbols of reverence into a flashpoint for religious identity and social conflict. Cow protection, once largely cultural, has become violent, with vigilantes hunting down Dalits and Muslims, the communities that mostly transport cows and buffaloes to trading markets where they are bought for slaughter. That has disrupted a reliable supply of cow and buffalo hides, which are then tanned with vegetables to make Kolhapuri chappals. 'The original hide we use for quality is restricted in several states because of politics around cows,' said Kurade. 'The supply has touched new lows due to politics on cows – and we have been suffering because it has become really expensive for us to keep doing it with the same quality.' Craftsmen like Kurade believe that if they can make the sandals cheaper and more accessible, 'people will wear this because it is what people have loved for centuries'. Still, Kurade said, while Prada can try and imitate Kolhapuri aesthetics, it cannot replicate the intricate hand-woven design patterns, mastered by the Dalit community in southern Maharashtra and some parts of bordering Karnataka. Dalits are traditionally the most marginalised segment of India's complex caste hierarchy. 'The authentic design is something which is rare and unique,' he said. 'Even shops in Kolhapur city may not have them.' The real designs, Kurade said, are still made in villages by using centuries-old craft. But because of the challenge of sourcing quality hides, and faced with an increasingly digital marketplace that artisans are unfamiliar with, Dalit sandal makers need help, he said. 'People who know markets, who can sell it ahead, are the ones cashing in on this. Poor villagers like us cannot run a website; we do not have the marketing knowledge,' he said. 'The government should look into this, to bridge this gap – it is their duty to look into this. The benefits never reached the real makers from the Dalit groups.' Since 2019, after sustained advocacy by artisan groups, India has protected Kolhapuri sandals under its Geographical Indications of Goods Act (1999), preventing commercial use of the term 'Kolhapuri Chappal' by unauthorised producers. But this protection is limited within national borders. Prada has previously faced significant criticism over alleged cultural appropriation, most notably in 2018 when it released the 'Pradamalia' collection – keychains and figurines that resembled racist caricatures with exaggerated red lips, drawing immediate comparisons with blackface imagery. After the backlash, Prada pulled the products from stores and issued a public apology. Prada has also been criticised for store displays that have evoked racial stereotypes, as well as for its use of animal-based luxury materials like ostrich and exotic leathers, which have drawn criticism from environmental and labour rights groups. But Prada is not alone. In 2019, Christian Dior drew criticism for incorporating elements inspired by the traditional attire of Mexican horsewomen in its Cruise collection, without formal acknowledgement or collaboration. In 2015, French designer Isabel Marant came under fire in Mexico for marketing a blouse that closely mirrored the traditional embroidery patterns of the Mixe community in Oaxaca, sparking accusations of cultural appropriation. Rather than apologise, Vanguri, the fashion entrepreneur, said that the 'real respect would be Prada co-creating a capsule collection with Kolhapuri artisan clusters – giving them fair design credit, profit share, and global visibility'. 'Structurally, they could commit to long-term partnerships with craft cooperatives or even fund capacity-building and design innovation for these communities,' she said.
Al Jazeera
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Jazeera
Why is Prada caught in a sandal scandal in India?
New Delhi, India — When models sashayed down the ramp at Milan Fashion Week last week, Harish Kurade looked at them on his smartphone in awe, sitting in his village in southern Maharashtra state, more than 7,000km (4,350 miles) away. Models were showcasing a new line of open-toe leather sandals, designed by Prada, the iconic luxury fashion house. However, in India, the visuals raised a furore among artisans and politicians after the Italian giant failed to credit the ancient Maharashtra roots of its latest design. 'They [Prada] stole and replicated our crafty work, but we are really happy,' said Kurade in a chirpy tone. 'Today, the world's eyes are on our Kolhapuri 'chappals' [Hindi for sandals].' Kolhapur is a city in Maharashtra after which the sandals are named. After facing backlash, Prada acknowledged that its new sandal designs 'are inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage', in a letter to the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce. While Kurade is chuffed about the centuries-old sandal-making craft from his village potentially gaining global exposure, other artisans, politicians and activists are wary of cultural appropriation and financial exploitation by Prada. So, what is the controversy about? And what are artisans in Kolhapur saying about Prada? Can it change anything for the workers behind the original sandals? What did Prada step into? Prada showcased the classic T-strapped leather flats at the Spring/Summer 2026 menswear collection at Milan Fashion Week. In its show notes, the Italian brand described the new range of footwear only as 'leather sandals'. The notes made no mention of any Indian connection, despite its uncanny resemblance to Kolhapuri sandals, which are wildly popular across India and often worn on special occasions, such as weddings and festivals, along with traditional Indian clothing. Outraged, a delegation of Kolhapuri sandals manufacturers met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday last week to register their protest. Showing his support for the delegation is Dhananjay Mahadik, a member of parliament from the state's Kolhapur district, belonging to the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Mahadik told reporters that the sandal makers and their supporters are in the process of filing a lawsuit in the Bombay High Court against Prada. Mahadik also wrote to Fadnavis, drawing 'urgent attention to a serious infringement on Maharashtra's cultural identity and artisan rights', and called on him to 'protect the cultural heritage of Maharashtra'. In his letter, he noted that the sandals are reportedly priced at approximately $1,400 a pair. By contrast, the authentic Kolhapuri sandals can be found in local markets for about $12. How has Prada responded? The Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA) also wrote to Patrizio Bertelli, the chairperson of Prada's Board of Directors, about the concerns of sandal makers. Two days later, the company responded, acknowledging that the design was inspired by the centuries-old Indian sandals. 'We deeply recognise the cultural significance of such Indian craftsmanship. Please note that, for now, the entire collection is currently at an early stage of design development, and none of the pieces are confirmed to be produced or commercialised,' Prada said. The company added that it remains 'committed to responsible design practices, fostering cultural engagement, and opening a dialogue for a meaningful exchange with local Indian artisan communities, as we have done in the past in other collections to ensure the rightful recognition of their craft. 'Prada strives to pay homage and recognise the value of such specialised craftspeople that represent an unrivalled standard of excellence and heritage.' Srihita Vanguri, a fashion entrepreneur from the city of Hyderabad, said that Prada's actions were 'disappointing but not surprising'. 'Luxury brands have a long history of borrowing design elements from traditional crafts without giving due credit – until there's a backlash,' she told Al Jazeera. 'This is cultural appropriation if it stops at inspiration without attribution or benefit-sharing.' Kolhapuris, which the sandals are also known as, are not just a design, she insisted. They carry the legacy of centuries of craft communities in Maharashtra and the neighbouring state of Karnataka. 'Ignoring that context erases real people and livelihoods,' she added. What about artisans of Kolhapur? Kolhapur, nestled in southwestern Maharashtra, is a city steeped in royal heritage, spiritual significance and artisanal pride. Beyond its crafts, Kolhapur is also home to several revered Hindu temples and a rich culinary legacy – its food is spicy. Its famed sandals date back to the 12th century, with more than 20,000 local families still involved in this craft. The family of Kurade, who was happy about Prada showcasing the sandals, lives on the outskirts of Kolhapur, and has been in this business for more than 100 years. But he said the business has taken a beating in recent years. 'In India, people don't really understand this craft or want to put money in this any more. If an international brand comes, steals it and showcases it on global platforms, maybe that is good for us,' he told Al Jazeera. He said that craftsmen like those in his family 'still stand where they were years ago'. 'We have the craft and the capacity to move ahead, but the government has not supported us,' the 40-year-old said. Rather, Kurade said, politics has made things worse. Since 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu majoritarian government came to power in New Delhi, cows have transformed from just symbols of reverence into a flashpoint for religious identity and social conflict. Cow protection, once largely cultural, has become violent, with vigilantes hunting down Dalits and Muslims, the communities that mostly transport cows and buffaloes to trading markets where they are bought for slaughter. That has disrupted a reliable supply of cow and buffalo hides, which are then tanned with vegetables to make Kolhapuri chappals. 'The original hide we use for quality is restricted in several states because of politics around cows,' said Kurade. 'The supply has touched new lows due to politics on cows – and we have been suffering because it has become really expensive for us to keep doing it with the same quality.' Craftsmen like Kurade believe that if they can make the sandals cheaper and more accessible, 'people will wear this because it is what people have loved for centuries'. Still, Kurade said, while Prada can try and imitate Kolhapuri aesthetics, it cannot replicate the intricate hand-woven design patterns, mastered by the Dalit community in southern Maharashtra and some parts of bordering Karnataka. Dalits are traditionally the most marginalised segment of India's complex caste hierarchy. 'The authentic design is something which is rare and unique,' he said. 'Even shops in Kolhapur city may not have them.' The real designs, Kurade said, are still made in villages by using centuries-old craft. But because of the challenge of sourcing quality hides, and faced with an increasingly digital marketplace that artisans are unfamiliar with, Dalit sandal makers need help, he said. 'People who know markets, who can sell it ahead, are the ones cashing in on this. Poor villagers like us cannot run a website; we do not have the marketing knowledge,' he said. 'The government should look into this, to bridge this gap – it is their duty to look into this. The benefits never reached the real makers from the Dalit groups.' Has it happened before? Since 2019, after sustained advocacy by artisan groups, India has protected Kolhapuri sandals under its Geographical Indications of Goods Act (1999), preventing commercial use of the term 'Kolhapuri Chappal' by unauthorised producers. But this protection is limited within national borders. Prada has previously faced significant criticism over alleged cultural appropriation, most notably in 2018 when it released the 'Pradamalia' collection – keychains and figurines that resembled racist caricatures with exaggerated red lips, drawing immediate comparisons with blackface imagery. After the backlash, Prada pulled the products from stores and issued a public apology. Prada has also been criticised for store displays that have evoked racial stereotypes, as well as for its use of animal-based luxury materials like ostrich and exotic leathers, which have drawn criticism from environmental and labour rights groups. But Prada is not alone. In 2019, Christian Dior drew criticism for incorporating elements inspired by the traditional attire of Mexican horsewomen in its Cruise collection, without formal acknowledgement or collaboration. In 2015, French designer Isabel Marant came under fire in Mexico for marketing a blouse that closely mirrored the traditional embroidery patterns of the Mixe community in Oaxaca, sparking accusations of cultural appropriation. Rather than apologise, Vanguri, the fashion entrepreneur, said that the 'real respect would be Prada co-creating a capsule collection with Kolhapuri artisan clusters – giving them fair design credit, profit share, and global visibility'. 'Structurally, they could commit to long-term partnerships with craft cooperatives or even fund capacity-building and design innovation for these communities,' she said.
