'Our artisans lose while global brands cash in': Harsh Goenka slams Prada over Rs 1 lakh Kolhapuri chappals

The issue has sparked outrage among the artisan community in Kolhapur.

Indian billionaire and industrialist Harsh Goenka has criticised Italian luxury fashion house Prada for allegedly profiting from India’s cultural heritage without acknowledging its origins or compensating its artisans. The controversy erupted after the brand showcased footwear in its Men’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection that strongly resembled India’s iconic Kolhapuri chappals.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Goenka shared an image of the sandals presented by Prada, claiming that the design mimicked traditional Kolhapuri footwear, yet came with a staggering price tag of over Rs 1 lakh.

“Prada is selling products looking like Kolhapuri chappals for over Rs 1 lakh. Our artisans make the same by hand for Rs 400. They lose, while global brands cash in on our culture. Sad!” Goenka wrote, drawing widespread support from social media users and industry commentators alike.

Prada is selling products looking like Kolhapuri chappals for over ₹1 lakh. Our artisans make the same by hand for ₹400. They lose, while global brands cash in on our culture. Sad! pic.twitter.com/Cct4vOimKs

— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) June 26, 2025

The sandals featured in Prada’s latest menswear show, held at the Deposito of the Fondazione Prada in Milan, were introduced by co-creative directors Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons. The show, described as whimsical and futuristic, was meant to blur the lines between tradition and innovation. However, the footwear has attracted sharp criticism for what many are calling blatant cultural appropriation and erasure of indigenous craftsmanship.

Kolhapuri chappals are handcrafted leather sandals that trace their origins to the town of Kolhapur in Maharashtra. Known for their intricate design and durability, these sandals date back to the 12th century. In 2019, they were granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Government of India, recognising their unique cultural and historical value.

While original Kolhapuri chappals are typically sold in India for between Rs 1,000 and Rs 4,000, local artisans often earn as little as Rs 400 per pair. Many of these artisans work in rural cooperatives and continue to preserve the centuries-old craft, despite growing economic challenges and diminishing recognition.

The issue has sparked outrage among the artisan community in Kolhapur. On Thursday, a delegation of Kolhapuri chappal manufacturers led by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Dhananjay Mahadik met Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to express their dismay over Prada’s actions. They urged the state government to raise the matter with the Union Government, accusing the brand of exploiting Indian craftsmanship without offering credit or commercial benefits to the creators.

“This is not merely about fashion; it is about respect for traditional knowledge and the livelihoods of thousands of artisans,” Mahadik reportedly said during the meeting. Fadnavis assured the delegation that the issue would be escalated appropriately.