When Prada showcased Kolhapuri sandals on its Summer 2026 menswear runway, it received severe backlash which the brand has probably not expected. The sandals, clearly inspired by India’s GI protected Kolhapuri chappals, were neither made by Indian artisans, nor credited for their inspiration. In the aftermath, the Italian brand has now partnered with LIDCOM (Sant Rohidas Leather Industries and Charmakar Development Corporation Ltd) and LIDKAR (Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram Leather Industries Development Corporation Ltd) – the government-backed organizations safeguarding, promoting and developing the Indian leather industry and heritage of Kolhapuri Chappals.
The organizations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Consulate General of Italy in Mumbai. The agreement sets out the framework, implementation and guidance of the “PRADA Made in India x Inspired by Kolhapuri Chappals” project, which will celebrate Indian craftsmanship through a limited-edition collection of sandals.
The traditional Kolhapuri Chappals are manufactured across eight districts: four in Maharashtra (Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Solapur) and four in Karnataka (Belagavi, Bagalkot, Dharwad, Bijapur). In 2019, Kolhapuri Chappals were granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, safeguarding their authenticity and highlighting their cultural significance.
K.M. Vasundhara, LIDKAR Managing Director, declared: “The heritage of Kolhapuri Chappals represents centuries of skilled craftsmanship passed down through generations of artisans across Karnataka and Maharashtra. Preserving this GI-tagged craft and appreciating our artisans is vital to protecting this cultural, traditional and economic legacy. Our collaboration with Prada opens new global opportunities for Karnataka’s artisans through LIDKAR, safeguarding tradition while empowering communities through training, job opportunities and sustainable livelihoods. We are proud to join hands with Prada in taking Indian craftsmanship to the global platform.”
These chappals (or sandals) will be manufactured in India by skilled artisans from the Maharashtra and Karnataka regions, where the traditional Kolhapuri chappals are handcrafted. Traditional techniques will be combined with Prada’s contemporary design.
Prerna Deshbhratar, I.A.S., LIDCOM Managing Director commented, “The project is a result of a sustained dialogue and a shared commitment to honour generations of artisans who have preserved this traditional craft. The collaboration with Prada reflects an ethical partnership where a global brand works directly with artisans from Maharashtra and Karnataka, recognising their expertise and giving them full credit. The Government of Maharashtra through LIDCOM is happy to support this initiative which highlights India’s vision of taking its rich cultural heritage to global platforms while celebrating the authenticity and legacy of Kolhapuri chappals.”
This initiative is a new chapter in the “Made In…” project, which was launched by Prada over a decade ago to celebrate artisanal excellence from around the globe. Previous examples include the “Prada Made in Scotland” tartan wool kits, “Prada Made in Peru” alpaca wool knitwear, “Prada Made in Japan” jeans, and even “Prada Made in India” Chikankari embroidered clothes.
Through this new initiative, Prada Group, in collaboration with LIDCOM and LIDKAR, will define and implement locally training programs aimed at helping artisans upscale their skills while preserving the traditional craftsmanship that inspired the project, following the model of the Prada Group Academy.
Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, commented: “Our collaboration with LIDCOM and LIDKAR stems from a meaningful cultural exchange, where every voice contributed to creating not just a product, but a broader initiative. We are proud to announce the launch of this collection, and we are committed to develop training programs supporting Indian artisans and ensuring that their exceptional craftsmanship secures its place in today’s evolving industry.”
Reuters reported that the sandals will be retailed at $930, while the Prada Group has no current plans to enter India yet. The collection will debut globally in February 2026 across 40 select Prada stores and on Prada’s official e-commerce platform.
