Prada Ties with Kolhapuri Artisans for Limited-Edition Sandals
Prada Ties with Kolhapuri Artisans for Limited-Edition Sandals
Prada partners with Indian artisans to launch limited-edition sandals inspired by Kolhapuri chappals, tapping into GI-tag heritage and boosting exports.
Prada is teaming up with Indian artisans to launch a limited-edition line of sandals inspired by the famed Kolhapuri chappals, melding centuries-old handcraft with Prada's design sensibilities.
A memorandum of understanding has been signed with two government bodies, LIDCOM and LIDKAR, to guide the project as part of 'PRADA Made in India x Inspired by Kolhapuri Chappals.' The partners say the collection will celebrate Indian craftsmanship while setting standards for fair compensation and ethical sourcing.
The sandals will be manufactured in India in collaboration with skilled artisans from Maharashtra and Karnataka, regions historically tied to Kolhapuri chappals. The project seeks to preserve the GI-tagged heritage (since 2019) while inviting contemporary luxury materials and silhouettes.
Initial production plans call for around 2,000 pairs, underscoring Prada's confidence in Indian leatherwork's global appeal. Officials have signaled that the collaboration could help push Kolhapuri chappals toward broader exports—an industry long talked about as a potential $1 billion export opportunity.
By pairing traditional techniques with modern luxury, Prada's initiative aims to highlight the craft's value, safeguard artisans' livelihoods, and address past concerns about cultural appropriation by foregrounding local expertise and fair wages.
As the fashion world watches, stakeholders hope this partnership will become a model for responsible cross-border sourcing and Indian craftsmanship gaining premium visibility on the international stage.
Cover image source: Prada to source Kolhapuri chappals-inspired sandals from 2 govt organisations 🔗
