Rapid Fire
Kolhapuri Chappals
- 30 Jun 2025
- 2 min read
Italian luxury fashion brand Prada has acknowledged that its men’s footwear design was inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, after facing backlash for the sandals’ strong resemblance to GI-tagged Kolhapuri chappals, which artisans argue constitutes cultural appropriation and a violation of the GI tag.
- Cultural appropriation in fashion is when designers use elements from another culture without credit or claiming they didn't know the origin.
Kolhapuri Chappals
- Origin & Geography: It is handcrafted in Kolhapur (Maharashtra) and nearby districts like Sangli, Satara, and Solapur, dating back to the 12th–13th century, and was originally made for royalty.
- Craftsmanship: It is made using vegetable-tanned leather from cow, buffalo, or goat, and is fully handmade without nails or synthetic components
- Design Features: It is recognised for its T-strap shape, detailed braiding, and open-toe design, mostly in tan or deep brown shades.
- GI Tag Recognition: It was granted Geographical Indication (GI) status in 2019, covering eight districts in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
GI Tag
- A GI tag identifies products with a specific geographical origin and ensures only authorised users from that region can use the name.
- It protects against imitation, is valid for 10 years, and is overseen by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
| Read More: Intellectual Property Rights |
