Who could have imagined the lowly Kolhapuri chappal debuting high-fashion at Prada’s Spring/Summer 2026 menswear collection in Milan? At the Fondazione Prada Deposito, under the creative direction of Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, models marched in light cotton shirts, bold raffia hats and unmistakably old-fashioned Indian leather sandals.
No sooner did visuals from the show start surfacing on the internet, but Indian fashionistas did a double take. Were Kolhapuris actually on the feet of Prada models? Indeed, it turned out that there were no drastic changes, no restyling. The chappals resembled very much what could be found in Indian markets, now given a designer tag.
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Fashion Critics Praise
Celebrity fashion designer Anaita Shroff Adajania nailed the mood with posting a picture from the show and writing, ‘a pair of good old Kolhapuri chappals’.
The web, particularly Desi netizens, went into overdrive. While some were giggling at seeing common Indian footwear being made out to be high-end fashion, others questioned appropriation and acknowledgement.
Fashion critic Diet Sabya jumped into the fray with a classic sarcastic post saying, “Wait. A. Minute? Chintz, cummerbunds, Nehru jackets. Turbans on global runways. Just recently the absurd ‘Scandi Scarf’ and ‘Mandi Bag’! In addition to a multitude of remixes of Indian fits that had no business getting remixed. And now? The Kolhapuri?! Not wanting to be that annoying auntie, are we prepared for a Prada Kolhapuri that will set us back £1,000 a pair? And that’ll be ‘Fashion’ because Europeans will all of a sudden begin to wear it. Rather fascinating if you consider it.”
The post continued, “While ‘Made in France’ and ‘Made in Italy’ were always the epitome of quality, lately we’re overwhelmed with ‘Made in India’, bearing a European tag and brand. All that embroidery. All that artisanal flex. All made in India. Always has been. So don’t let us play brand new. India is not the next big thing. India has been the time. The West (grateful to TikTok) only just now and pretending like they invented it. Lmao. Discuss.”
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Social Media Responds
Internet users did not hesitate. “Grandpa used to wear the same chappal,” one of them joked. Another cried out, “THE CHAPPAL GOES GLOBAL.” The third made a joke, saying, “Let me dust off my Chappals and give them a spin now!
Others complained about the failure of the designer to acknowledge the origin of the sandal. One user posted, “They adore Indian culture and fashion but will not admit they are inspired by all things Indian.” Another said, “I am from Kolhapur, and I don’t like it…They should name it Kolhapuris. They are from Kolhapur. Period!”
The Story Behind the Sandal
Kolhapuri chappals are traditional handmade leather sandals originating from Kolhapur, Maharashtra. Crafted for over a century by skilled Indian artisans, they are known for their durability, flat soles, and signature toe-loop design. In 2019, the iconic footwear was granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, officially recognising its cultural and regional significance.
From Indian roads to Milan’s fashion catwalk, the Kolhapuri chappal has travelled far indeed—and not without provoking a world debate on authenticity, credit, and cultural pride.
