- विज्ञापन -
Mumbai: A team from the Italian fashion brand Prada recently visited Kolhapur to explore the history and craftsmanship behind the famous Kolhapuri chappals. During their visit, they met local artisans and shopkeepers to learn more about the traditional footwear.
One shopkeeper told media that the Prada team had come to observe the making process of these chappals and later visited a prominent market in Kolhapur, where the artisans sell their products. The team expressed particular interest in authentic leather bags used by conductors and petrol pump attendants, as well as in the original Kolhapuri chappals, especially noting the Kapashi Kolhapuri variety.
Another vendor stated that Prada’s team was surveying all the manufacturing units of Kolhapuri chappals to understand the technical aspects, as Prada plans to enter the retail market in Kolhapur. They also recorded the production process of the chappals firsthand in the local markets, emphasizing their focus on genuine stitching and high-quality, authentic products.
However, Prada faced significant criticism for allegedly copying Indian artisans’ work without sufficient acknowledgment. The brand admitted that its summer collection was “inspired by Indian artisans,” but critics argued that Prada had not issued any formal apology or offered damages, compensation, or remedies to the traditional Maharashtrian craftsmen.
Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada’s head of corporate social responsibility and son of the company’s owners, responded to the backlash with a letter to a trade group, acknowledging that the sandals were inspired by India’s centuries-old handcrafted footwear heritage. He stated, “We recognize that the sandals are inspired by traditional Indian footwear with a longstanding heritage,” according to reports from Reuters.
Earlier in July, a public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the Bombay High Court, demanding that Prada pay compensation to Kolhapuri artisans for allegedly replicating their designs in its latest summer collection. The law protects Kolhapuri chappals as a Geographical Indication (GI) under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. The PIL sought directions and measures, including an injunction and damages, for the unauthorized commercial use of a GI-tagged product that has caused significant harm to the community that has historically produced these chappals, particularly in Maharashtra.
