Prada's Kolhapuri chappals will debut globally in February across 40 Prada stores and on the brand's e-commerce platform.
The team toured four clusters in and around Kolhapur where Kolhapuri chappals are made.
They presented a letter urging him to look into the violation and preserve the product, which is a symbol of the state's cultural heritage.
The inclusion of the Kolhapuri chappal in Prada's new show -- without proper collaboration or acknowledgement --not only undermines the artisans' cultural heritage but also monetises a centuriesold craft without benefiting its rightful custodians.
An Indian may not have been walking the ramp at the 2026 Milan and Paris Spring Summer Fashion Weeks but Indian influences were certainly making their presence felt in unusual ways.
Artisans from Maharashtra have cried foul after footwear similar to the famous Kolhapuri chappals featured in Prada's show. They alleged violation of geographical identification (GI) rights.
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