Luxury Brand Accused of Cultural Appropriation and Design Misuse
The global fashion spotlight is now on a major controversy. Italian luxury fashion house Prada has found itself embroiled in legal trouble over its latest men’s footwear showcased at the Prada Men’s Spring/Summer 2026 Fashion Show in Milan. The cause? A pair of ‘Toe Ring Sandals’ that allegedly resemble India’s iconic Kolhapuri chappals.
PIL Filed in Bombay High Court Seeking Compensation
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Bombay High Court demanding compensation for the traditional Kolhapuri chappal artisans. The petition accuses Prada of unauthorised commercialisation, cultural misappropriation, and misrepresentation of a GI-tagged product.
The Allegation: Copy Without Credit
The PIL, filed by Intellectual Property Rights advocate Ganesh S Hingemire on July 2, highlights that:
Prada’s sandals bear a strong stylistic and cultural resemblance to Kolhapuri chappals.
The footwear was priced at over ₹1 lakh per pair.
The brand failed to credit the original artisans or the GI-tagged origin of the design.
The sandals were rebranded under a European label during the Milan Fashion Week on June 22.
Why the Kolhapuri Chappal Matters
The Kolhapuri chappal is not just footwear—it’s a symbol of centuries-old Indian craftsmanship. Hailing from Maharashtra, it holds Geographical Indication (GI) status under India’s GI Act of 1999, offering legal protection for its unique traditional design.
What Prada Said in Its Defense
Facing heavy backlash, Prada issued a statement, saying:
“We acknowledge that the sandals featured in the recent Prada Men’s 2026 Fashion Show are inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage. We deeply recognize the cultural significance of such Indian craftsmanship.” — Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group Head of Corporate Social Responsibility
However, the brand claimed the designs were “still in the early stage” and not yet approved for production.
The Petition’s Demands
The PIL argues that Prada’s acknowledgement came only after social media criticism and was not made through any official public channel. The plea seeks:
A public apology from Prada
Damages/compensation for affected artisans
An injunction against the unauthorised use of GI-tagged products
Stricter legal protections for India’s traditional crafts and heritage products
A Larger Fight for Cultural Credit
This case raises a larger conversation about how global fashion brands often borrow heavily from traditional designs without proper attribution or benefit to original creators. The Prada-Kolhapuri controversy could set a critical precedent for safeguarding Indian art, design, and craft in the global market.
