Prada-Kolhapuri row: Fashion giant to meet Maharashtra industry physique; India seeks fair recognition, ethical collaboration

Italian luxurious style home Prada is ready to interact in a high-level digital assembly with the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA) on July 11 to discover a potential collaboration on a Kolhapuri chappal-inspired males’s sandal line. The discussions are available in response to rising requires recognition of Indian craftsmanship after the model showcased designs resembling conventional Kolhapuri footwear in its Spring-Summer 2026 menswear assortment.As per ET, the assembly is predicted to embody Lorenzo Bertelli, head of company social accountability at Prada, and Roberto Massardi, chief enterprise growth officer. In a letter dated June 30, MACCIA proposed forming a joint working group comprising representatives from Prada, MACCIA, and native artisan organisations, with a deal with co-branded limited-edition collections, ability growth aligned with international requirements, and cultural change initiatives.“This initiative will not only set a global benchmark for ethical fashion but also demonstrate how heritage and innovation can harmoniously co-exist,” MACCIA President Lalit Gandhi wrote within the letter, as per ET. Gandhi additionally recommended organising a ‘Prada Artisan Excellence Lab’ in Kolhapur or Mumbai and advocated for a fair commerce worth chain to profit rural artisans.Confirmation for the digital dialogue got here from Elena Usan, Prada Group Marketing Secretary Office Coordinator, who acknowledged the upcoming video name with MACCIA representatives on July 2.MACCIA had initially written to Prada on June 25, urging the model to formally recognise the standard inspiration behind the sandals and discover fair compensation or collaborative fashions. The transfer adopted backlash on social media over Prada’s failure to credit score Kolhapuri artisans throughout its Milan style present.As per PTI, Prada responded by acknowledging that its new sandal designs have been certainly “inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear,” whereas clarifying that the gathering was nonetheless at a developmental stage, with no affirmation but on commercialisation. In his reply, Bertelli emphasised Prada’s dedication to “responsible design practices, fostering cultural engagement, and opening a dialogue for a meaningful exchange with local Indian artisan communities.”The Kolhapuri chappal, which acquired Geographical Indication (GI) standing in 2019, is a hand-crafted leather-based sandal recognized for its intricate craftsmanship and deep cultural roots in Maharashtra. Artisans from Kolhapur and surrounding districts had raised issues over the shortage of credit score, with BJP MP Dhananjay Mahadik assembly Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to search safety for the GI-tagged product.In his communication, Gandhi careworn that these sandals characterize centuries-old custom and help 1000’s of livelihoods. He mentioned that whereas international style manufacturers are welcome to draw inspiration from Indian heritage, such collaborations should uphold ethical requirements and profit the supply communities.With the scheduled talks, either side seem open to establishing a collaborative framework that respects conventional information whereas aligning with international style developments.