Prada to launch Rs 85,000 'Make in India' sandals, collaborates with Maharashtra and Karnataka artisans

Italian luxury brand Prada is going to be collaborating with Indian artisans to launch 'Make In India' sandals. The price for each sandal would be priced at Rs 84,043 ($930), Prada senior executive Lorenzo Bertelli told Reuters.

The plan to is to make 2,000 pairs of sandals, as the deal has been signed with two state-backed bodies - Maharashtra and Karnataka. The sandals would be made with local craftsmanship and Italian technology. Bertelli told Reuters that, "We'll mix the original manufacturer's standard capabilities with our manufacturing techniques."

It will be a limited-edition collection and its launch is expected to happen in February 2026 across 40 Prada stores world over and online, said the company. The Italian luxury brand has now signed agreements with LIDCOM and LIDKAR, two state-backed groups that support India’s leather-working communities.

As part of the collaboration, local artisans will be given training. They will also get a chance to spend time at Prada Academy in Italy. It is a 3-year partnership between the brand and the artisans and the details of the same are still in works. Betelli said the project and training programme would cost "several million euros" and he also said that the artisans will be fairly remunerated.