Back in the roots of India before hashtags, heatmaps, and haute couture there lived a humble hero: the Kolhapuri chappal. Handcrafted from sturdy leather, designed for comfort and grace, and worn by everyone from village elders to fashion-forward millennials. Now? It’s strutted its way into Prada’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection in Milan. Yes, that Prada.
No, this isn’t a crossover episode. It’s real and it’s got the fashion world buzzing.
Amongst futuristic silhouettes and dreamy pastels, what caught everyone’s eye was a pair of tan leather sandals with thin straps, a toe ring, and a strong déjà vu moment for anyone remotely desi. While the rest of the world gasped in awe, India just blinked and said, “Ahem… isn’t that our Kolhapuri?”
But before we dive into a debate over credits and cultural borrowing, let’s take a more interesting route. Think of it this way: when global luxury turns to Indian heritage for inspiration, it’s not just flattery it’s proof. Proof that India isn’t behind the trend. It is the trend.
As Yogesh Muthreja, Founder of Rivah, cheekily says, “Soon, Linking Road and Sarojini stalls will sell ₹100 Kolhapuris with a Prada sticker for ₹150 a win for small Indian businesses.” Who knew street style would meet street smarts this perfectly?
Cherisha Surana, Style Coach, throws in the ultimate mic-drop: “India never followed fashion, it inspired it.” While the West reinvents, we’ve been living the original.
Prachi Bhatia, Founder of Prachis Designz, adds, “It’s the age-old Indian techniques, love for handmade detail, and the pure comfort of Kolhapuris that’s pulling global eyes toward our culture.” Prada didn’t just spot a trend they spotted a legacy (even if they forgot to mention it).
And as Ankit Sharma reminds us, “Kolhapuris aren’t just footwear they’re heritage.” So while we applaud the global spotlight, it’s time to also shine it on the artisans who’ve been making these leather wonders long before fashion weeks were even a thing.
Let’s be honest: the world has always worn our craft. This time, it just happened to be under designer lighting and a Prada logo. No shade. Just facts.
So the next time someone compliments your Kolhapuris, you can casually say, “Thanks, it’s vintage Prada… or, you know, just Kolhapur.”
Because India wasn’t late to the party. It hosted it.
Your turn do you think global brands should give louder credit when borrowing from traditional cultures, or is the global spotlight enough of a win?
-Khizra Khan
