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Prada credits Kolhapuri craft, launches artisan training
The program will train 180 artisans across eight Indian districts over three years.
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Malvika Choudhary - Tue, 28, Apr 2026
- 17:11 EDT
- 29
Representative image / Wikimedia
Global fashion brand Prada Group on April 27 credited traditional Kolhapuri chappals as the inspiration for its new limited-edition sandal collection and announced a three-year artisan training program in India.
The launch follows backlash during Prada’s Spring/Summer 2026 menswear show, where sandals resembling Kolhapuri chappals were presented without initially crediting their Indian origins.
Also Read: Prada inks pact with Indian ventures for global launch of Kolhapuri chappals
Now, the brand's “Made in India x Inspired by Kolhapuri Chappals” collection is available in 40 select Prada stores globally and online.
It is manufactured in Maharashtra and Karnataka by local artisans and developed in collaboration with Sant Rohidas Leather Industries and Charmakar Development Corporation and Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram Leather Industries Development Corporation.
Prada’s designs drew criticism from artisans, industry bodies, and political leaders, raising concerns over cultural appropriation and the use of a Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged craft.
Kolhapuri chappals are traditional hand-crafted leather footwear from Maharashtra and northern Karnataka, granted GI status in 2019 and produced by thousands of artisans.
Prada later acknowledged the inspiration and engaged with Indian stakeholders, leading to the current collaboration. The company said the collection combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design and premium materials.
Alongside the launch, Prada announced a fully funded training program targeting 180 artisans across eight Kolhapuri-producing districts. The program will run in six-month modules over three years and is open to artisans aged 18 to 45.
Training will be delivered in partnership with National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) and Karnataka Institute of Leather & Fashion Technology (KILT), covering design, digital skills, and market-oriented production.
Applications for the first cohort of 30 seats will open in May 2026, with the program scheduled to begin in the summer, the company announced on April 27.
Selected participants will have the opportunity to continue training at Prada’s academy in Italy.
“Education is a fundamental pillar in ensuring that craftsmanship remains a living practice,” said Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group head of corporate social responsibility.
Indian partners in the project said the collaboration is expected to strengthen artisan livelihoods and support the global positioning of traditional Indian craftsmanship.
The initiative is part of Prada’s broader “Made In” program, which focuses on partnerships with artisans worldwide to develop contemporary designs rooted in local craft traditions.
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