Prada to launch ‘made in India’ sandals following ‘cultural appropriation’ backlash
Luxury Italian fashion house Prada is to make a limited-edition collection of sandals in India inspired by the country’s traditional footwear.
The sandals are set to retail at approximately £700 (€800), according to Reuters. This comes after Prada faced criticism in June 2025 after showing sandals resembling the 12th-century Indian footwear, known as Kolhapuri chappals, at a Milan show. The backlash centred around ‘cultural appropriation’ as Prada did not reveal the Indian origins of the shoes.
In a move to appease, Prada now plans to make 2,000 pairs of the sandals in the regions of Karnataka and Maharashtra, where the footwear is handcrafted by local artisans, under a deal with two state-backed bodies, blending local Indian craftsmanship with Italian technology and know-how.
Prada senior executive Lorenzo Bertelli, who is the eldest son of Prada founders Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli, told Reuters: "We'll mix the original manufacturer’s standard capabilities with our manufacturing techniques. We want to be a multiplier of awareness for these chappals."
The collection will go on sale in February 2026 across 40 Prada stores worldwide and online.
