The Italian luxury brand described the design as one that "combines traditional techniques with contemporary design and premium materials," and said the collaboration represents "a dialogue between Indian heritage and modern luxury expression."
In addition to the product launch, Prada announced a three-year training programme for artisans from eight Indian districts associated with making Kolhapuri sandals. The programme will train 180 artisans in six-month modules, with some participants potentially continuing their training at the Prada Group Academy in Italy. Lorenzo Bertelli, head of corporate social responsibility at Prada Group, said the initiative "aims to support artisans by strengthening skills, preserving traditional knowledge and helping local communities sustain the craft."
combines traditional techniques with contemporary design and premium materials
Kolhapuri sandals, which date back to the 12th century, were granted Geographical Indication status by the Indian government in 2019. In India, they typically sell for between 500 and 1,000 rupees, making the €750 price tag a significant premium. The launch comes after Prada faced backlash last June for cultural appropriation over similar designs that did not acknowledge Indian origins. Tanu Kashyap, director general of the National Institute of Fashion Technology, said the programme would "help promote traditional Indian crafts in global markets." It is not yet known what specific training modules the six-month programme includes or how many artisans are currently producing the sandals for Prada.
a dialogue between Indian heritage and modern luxury expression
leather sandals
The initiative aims to support artisans by strengthening skills, preserving traditional knowledge and helping local communities sustain the craft.
The programme would also help promote traditional Indian crafts in global markets.