Italian luxury fashion prada prada says it recognizes Indian roots in its new foot line, days after the design arouses a controversy in India.
The sandals, shown in Milan Fashion Week last week, there was a pattern of open toe similar to the traditional Sandals in Kolhapuri made by Kolhapuri and Karnataka states.
Prada described sandals as “skinned leather” but did not mention Indian beginnings, prompting backlash and allegations to apply to Indian culture.
Responding to controversy, Prada told the BBC in a statement that it was recognized that sandals were inspired by traditional Kandeyk in India.
A Prada spokesman says the company has “always celebrating the blacksmiths, inheritance and industry design” in the industry and agriculture in this subject “.
Last week, a famous trade organization wrote the brand, saying that the design is commercially unrelented to artists who preserve generations.
Lorenzo Bertelli, the head of Prada in society of social responsibility, responded to his letter saying that the sandals “at the early stage of the design”, according to the reuters.
He also said that Praa is open to a “dialogue for the meaningful exchange of local Indian artisan” and the company organizes the follow-up meetings to discuss it.
Named in a town of Maharashtra where it was made, the Sandals in Kolhapuri followed their drugs back in the 12th century.
Made from the skin and sometimes painted with natural colors, traditional sandal rods are strong and well suited to the warm climate in India.
Geographical state (GI) status of the Indian government in 2019.
According to the World Trade Organization, a geographical indicator of the course of the course of a good or product as it comes from a region or area, and is regarded as a score indeed.
After controversy, many craftsmen in Kolhapur say they were saddened by the use of Prada in the design that did not provide appropriate credit.
“These sandals are made with hard workers in Kolapur’s skin. Do not take care of Kolor. Do not enjoy the labor of others,” Prabha satisan, told Bbhpuri marathi.
Sandals cost a few hundred rupees in India but Prada’s prade prime prime provoked some.
Harstrial Goenka emphasized it, saying local artisans are almost no money for the same hand-made products. “They lost, while the global brand of cash in our culture,” he said.
This is not the first time the world brands are accused of participating in traditional Indian products without credit their roots.
At 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Gucci describes a sari worn by Bollywood Star Alia Bhatt as a gown, sparking backlash.
Earlier, a famous craft trend was criticized for calling Dupatta, a traditional South Asian scarf, a scarinavian scarf.
In Kolapur, some said the step contains a sense of pride in them.
“The artisans enjoy someone who knows their job,” Kolhapur-based businessman who is more stated Reuter.
Follow BBC News India to Instagram,, the YouTube,, X and Fickook
