MILAN – Prada is unfolding the new chapter of its “Prada Made in India x Inspired by Kolhapuri Chappals” project, which was announced at the end of last year.
On Monday, the company launched the limited-edition collection of sandals inspired by the Indian Kolhapuri chappals at 40 selected Prada stores globally, as well as on its e-commerce.
Manufactured in India by artisans from the Maharashtra and Karnataka regions, where traditional Kolhapuri chappals are handcrafted, the design retails at 750 euros.
Every purchase comes with a leaflet on the history of the sandals, whose origins trace back to the 13th century. They have been made for generations across eight districts in the country – four in Maharashtra (Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Solapur) and four in Karnataka (Belagavi, Bagalkot, Dharwad, Bijapur).
The “Prada Made in India x Inspired by Kolhapuri Chappals” project.
Courtesy of Prada
As reported, Prada teamed up with two government organizations in India to develop the collection, including LIDCOM (Sant Rohidas Leather Industries and Charmakar Development Corporation Ltd) and LIDKAR (Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram Leather Industries Development Corporation Ltd). These are focused on safeguarding, promoting and developing the Indian leather industry and heritage of Kolhapuri chappals, which in 2019 were granted a Geographical Indication tag highlighting their cultural significance.
The tie-up between Prada and the local organizations came months after the brand received backlash online for the T-strap leather sandals shown during its spring 2026 menswear show. They resembled the centuries-old silhouette of Kolhapuri chappals. The viral outcry prompted the label to issue a public statement and send delegates to Kolhapur for meetings with Maharashtra-based artisans and sign a “Memorandum of Understanding” at the Consulate General of Italy in Mumbai with LIDCOM and LIDKAR.
The “Prada Made in India x Inspired by Kolhapuri Chappals” project.
Courtesy of Prada
Now, in tandem with the collection’s release, Prada Group also founded a training program dedicated to artisans from the eight districts in India where Kolhapuri chappals are manufactured. The initiative is designed to strengthen design and technical skills, enabling artisans to create products that meet evolving market needs while ensuring the continued relevance of this traditional craft.
Fully funded by Prada – including the proceeds of the sale of the limited-edition sandal collection – the program will run over three years in structured six-month modules, reaching a total of 180 artisans over the period. It will bring together design fundamentals, digital skills and an understanding of trends and market demands, with a strong emphasis on practical learning and hands-on training.
The “Prada Made in India x Inspired by Kolhapuri Chappals” project.
Courtesy of Prada
“Education is a fundamental pillar in ensuring that craftsmanship remains a living practice. With this training program, we are translating a shared cultural dialogue into a concrete opportunity for learning and growth,” said Prada Group’s head of corporate social responsibility Lorenzo Bertelli. “Supporting artisans through structured training means safeguarding knowledge, strengthening local communities, and ensuring that traditional craftsmanship continues to evolve and thrive.”
In addition to LIDCOM and LIDKAR, the program was developed also in partnership with leading design institutes where the training courses will be delivered, including the National Institute of Fashion Technology, or NIFT, and the Karnataka Institute of Leather & Fashion Technology, or KILT.
The “Prada Made in India x Inspired by Kolhapuri Chappals” project.
Courtesy of Prada
The first program will kick off this summer, with applications for the initial 30 seats – equally split between NIFT and KILT – opening next month to artisans aged 18 to 45 on LIDCOM, LIDKAR and the institutes’ websites. At the end of each six-month module, a selection of participants will have the opportunity to continue their training at the Prada Group Academy in Italy, where they will further develop their craftsmanship and technical expertise.
“This collaboration will enable sustainable global positioning of our traditional craftsmanship, fostering cross-cultural design dialogue and long-term value for artisans,” said Prerna Deshbhratar, I.A.S., LIDCOM managing director.
KILT director Siddalingappa B. Pujari underscored how the collaboration is “a step towards bridging traditional craftsmanship with global excellence, ensuring our artisans remain competitive, innovative and future-ready.”
NIFT’s director general Tanu Kashyap noted how it’s “time that Indian traditional crafts take their rightful place on the world stage and being acknowledged as the new luxury” and underscored how “the initiative will empower artisans to carry forward the legacy of handcrafted and handmade traditions into the commercial arena, representing the true essence of sustainable and heritage fashion.”
The “Prada Made in India x Inspired by Kolhapuri Chappals” project.
Courtesy of Prada
Prada’s project in India is part of the “Made In…” initiative launched over a decade ago to celebrate artisanal excellence globally.
The collection’s drop comes ahead of its parent company’s reporting of Q1 earnings on April 30. In the 12 months ended Dec. 31, revenues of the group – which includes Miu Miu, Church’s, Car Shoe, Versace, Pasticceria Marchesi and Luna Rossa, in addition to Prada – rose 5 percent to 5.72 billion euros compared with 5.43 billion euros in 2024.
