Prada, the Italian fashion brand, has come under fire after it showed leather slippers at Milan Fashion Week that looked like India’s traditional Kolhapuri chappals. The brand did not give credit to the Indian craft, which upset many people. The slippers, priced at nearly Rs 1.2 lakh, sparked a strong reaction in India. To respond to the controversy, a team from Prada visited Kolhapur on Wednesday. Team spent time with local craftsmen in Kolhapur to understand how Kolhapuri chappals are made by hand.
Prada meets Local Artisans
Six senior members from Prada’s footwear team were part of the visit. They include top designers and production heads. They include Paolo Tiveron, head of men’s footwear, and Daniele Chontu, who works in pattern making. The team visited Jawahar Nagar, a well-known area of Kolhapuri chappals. They spoke with artisans and local seller said the team came to learn how these chappals are made and to explore working with local makers. The meeting helped them understand the skill and effort behind each handmade pair.
Prada Future Plans
After the visit, team said they want to act responsibly and respect the tradition behind the design. The brand also shared plans to work with Indian artisans and maybe launch a special Made in India collection using Kolhapuri style design. These steps could help both sides, giving artisans global reach while helping Prada design with more care and respect. The move is seen as a positive step towards honoring Indian culture and craft.
