Prada’s Kolhapuri Chappal Row: Five Times Global Fashion Brands Got Slammed For Cultural Theft
The latest controversy involves Prada, whose SS26 sandals closely resemble Maharashtra's Kolhapuri chappals, featuring the same open-toe design, vertical straps and tanned leather finish.
Italian luxury fashion brand Prada is facing backlash following the launch of its Spring/Summer 2026 menswear collection at Milan Fashion Week on Wednesday. The brand's mix of sharp tailoring and flat leather sandals gained global praise, but stirred a controversy on social media.
It turns out that the sandals introduced at Prada’s Milan Fashion Week appear to be identical to Kolhapuri chappals, the traditional Indian footwear with a history dating back to the 13th century.
What has upset many Indians is that the brand, while receiving praise for its collection, has offered no acknowledgment of its inspiration. Prada’s SS26 sandals, priced at a whopping more than Rs 1.25 lakh, closely resemble Kolhapuri chappals, mirroring their open-toe design, vertical straps and tanned leather finish. These handcrafted shoes hold a GI tag in Maharashtra.
Many social media users are upset because this isn't the first time Western brands have decided to borrow from Indian culture without credit. India has long influenced global fashion. From paisley patterns and mirror embellishments to zardozi embroidery, these designs have featured at global fashion shows many times with little context or acknowledgment of their link to India’s ethnic wear and culture.
Times When Western Brands Borrowed Indian Fashion Without Credit
1. At the recent Cannes Film Festival held in May, actress Alia Bhatt’s Gucci look stirred debate after the luxurious Italian brand labelled it a “gown,” despite its saree-inspired design.
2. At an earlier show, French luxury fashion house Hermes showcased “flowing silhouettes”, which were clearly inspired by the Indian sari. However, the brand chose to call them a “new exotic silhouette” and did not give any recognition to India.
3. French brand Isabel Marant has been criticised for its tunic that clearly resembles the Indian kurta. Despite the side slits and cotton fabric, the brand calls its design a “bohemian blouse”. The label drew extensive criticism for whitewashing cultural roots and erasing the traditional significance of the design.
4. Ajrakh block print, native to Gujarat and the Sindh region and preserved by the Khatri community, often appears in Zara and H&M collections. The brands have long benefitted from the designs without crediting their cultural heritage or the artisans behind it.
5. Dior recently showcased an Angarkha-inspired wrap tunic, reimagined with a European twist and a very high price. The brand presented no acknowledgment of its Indian origins or cultural significance.
