{"id":20498,"date":"2026-01-05T11:45:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-05T18:45:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footwearmagazine.com\/?p=20498"},"modified":"2026-01-05T18:47:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T01:47:12","slug":"prada-launch-india-sandals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footwearmagazine.com\/?p=20498","title":{"rendered":"Inside The $930 Global Launch Of Prada Made In India \u201cKolapuri\u201d Sandals"},"content":{"rendered":"

Prada<\/span><\/a> is turning a cultural appropriation controversy into a high-stakes collaboration with Indian artisans. It is launching limited-edition Made in India sandals priced at around \u20ac800 ($930) per pair. These are produced directly in India. The move follows global criticism over earlier runway sandals that closely resembled centuries-old Kolhapuri chappals from Maharashtra and Karnataka. These sandals did not initially credit their Indian origins.\u200b<\/span><\/p>\n

From backlash to collaboration<\/b><\/h3>\n

The new collection will feature about 2,000 pairs of sandals manufactured in Maharashtra and Karnataka. This is under formal agreements with state-backed bodies that promote the country\u2019s leather heritage. Each pair will retail at around \u20ac800 (about $930). Thus, positioning the style as a luxury reinterpretation of footwear that can cost as little as 10 U.S. dollars in local Indian markets.\u200b<\/span><\/p>\n

The sandals are directly inspired by traditional Kolhapuri chappals. This is a handcrafted style that dates back to the 12th century. It is closely associated with artisans from marginalized communities in western India. Earlier this year, images from a Milan show went viral. A similar Prada design, described only as \u201cleather footwear,\u201d was criticized by Indian craftspeople and politicians. They criticized for failing to acknowledge its cultural roots.\u200b<\/span><\/p>\n

How the India-made Prada sandals will work<\/b><\/h3>\n

Under the new plan, Prada will produce the collection in collaboration with Sant Rohidas Leather Industries and Charmakar Development Corporation (LIDCOM). Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram Leather Industries Development Corporation (LIDKAR) is also involved. Both are backed by the Indian state to support leather workers. Senior executive Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada\u2019s chief marketing officer and head of corporate social responsibility, told Reuters the brand will mix local craftsmanship with its own industrial know-how. He said that the project aims to act as a \u201cmultiplier of awareness\u201d for Kolhapuri chappals.\u200b<\/span><\/p>\n

The line is scheduled to go on sale in February 2026 across about <\/span>40 Prada stores<\/span><\/a> worldwide and online. This marks one of the brand\u2019s most visible \u201cMade in India\u201d luxury releases to date. A three-year partnership is being finalized. This includes training programs on the ground in India and short-term residencies for artisans at the Prada Academy in Italy. These initiatives aim to strengthen skills and support long-term product development.\u200b<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Prada is turning a cultural appropriation controversy into a high-stakes collaboration with Indian artisans. It is launching limited-edition…","protected":false},"author":219894228,"featured_media":20500,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","pad_hide_post_author":"","csco_display_header_overlay":false,"csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","csco_page_load_nextpost":"","csco_post_video_location":[],"csco_post_video_location_hash":"","csco_post_video_url":"","csco_post_video_bg_start_time":0,"csco_post_video_bg_end_time":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1408,1364,1540,1482],"tags":[3088,3089,1587],"class_list":{"0":"post-20498","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business","8":"category-fashion","9":"category-news","10":"category-shoes","11":"tag-kolhapuri-chappals","12":"tag-made-in","13":"tag-prada","14":"cs-entry","15":"cs-video-wrap"},"yoast_head":"\nInside The $930 Global Launch Of Prada Made In India \u201cKolapuri\u201d Sandals<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/footwearmagazine.com\/?p=20498\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Inside The $930 Global Launch Of Prada Made In India \u201cKolapuri\u201d Sandals\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Prada is turning a cultural appropriation controversy into a high-stakes collaboration with Indian artisans. 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