They are taking away our chappals and Gamchas?? pradacontroversy fashionnews [N9FwZeEamxR]
What happened: Luxury brand Prada showcased a version of Kolhapuri chappals in its Men’s Spring/Summer 2026 runway show. The sandals closely resemble traditional Indian footwear worn for centuries—but Prada made no mention of India, its artisans, or the cultural origin. Why it sparked backlash: 1. No credit to Indian heritage Kolhapuris are handmade leather sandals from Maharashtra, with a legacy over 800 years. They hold Geographical Indication (GI) status in India. Fashion stylist Anaita Shroff Adajania criticized Prada’s move: “It’s not about inclusion—it’s about extraction without credit.” 2. High fashion price vs low artisan income Prada’s version is priced over ₹1 lakh, while Indian artisans often earn as little as ₹200 per pair. Critics say the luxury profit ignores the people who created the original design. 3. Recurring cultural appropriation Fashion watchdog Diet Sabya posted: “So after the ‘scarf scandal’, now our Kolhapuris are being rebranded by the West!” They referred to an earlier incident where a Swedish brand renamed the Indian gamcha (cotton scarf) as a “Scandinavian scarf” and sold it for €100+—without any Indian reference. “First our scarves, now our chappals—what’s next?” they wrote. Some see a silver lining A few believe such moments can help bring Indian craftsmanship to the global spotlight. But even supporters agree: exposure must come with credit, collaboration, and fair pay for the artisans.