Fans and critics have started to criticize Prada for the release of it’s newest collection. Read on to know more
On June 23, popular fashion house, Prada unveiled its Spring/Summer 2026 Men’s Collection at the Deposito of the Fondazione Prada in Milan, directed by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons. However, the fashion show and the new collection has attracted much outrage and criticism for its lack of originality, particularly for featuring footwear that closely resembles traditional Indian Kolhapuri chappals which has sparked a debate on the internet.
A Drought of Fresh Ideas
The Spring/Summer 2026 Men’s Collection featured exactly 56 looks, which signaled a return to ‘childish innocence’ through elements like elastic-hem bloomer shorts, and vibrant hats. While Prada explained the collection as a counterpoint to “useless complicated ideas,” netizens argued that the designs felt very uninspired, lazy and even copied.
The Kolhapuri Chappal Controversy
One of the most controversial addition to this collection was the inclusion of a flat, tan leather sandal with a toe loop, which looked awfully similar to traditional Kolhapuri chappals, a traditional Indian sandal originating in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. These handcrafted sandals which are made from leather tanned and dyed with natural dyes, are known for their durability, and comfort. However, in Prada’s show, these sandals were paired with modern outfits without any acknowledgement to their Indian heritage, which has now lead to widespread accusations of cultural appropriation .
The pricing of the footwear has further fueled the controversy as authentic Kolhapuri chappals are affordable in India, but Prada’s version reportedly costs over £1,000 (approximately Rs 1.17 Lakh).
Public Outrage And Experts’ Reactions
The induction of these Kolhapuri-like footwear has sparked a heated debate on the social media, while some netizens expressed excitement at seeing Indian craftsmanship on a global stage some have also criticized the fashion house for it. A user wrote, “Kolhapuri chappals on Prada’s runway? That’s my grandpa’s chappal!”. Others, however, were outraged by the lack of credit, viewing it as a form of cultural erasure. Celebrity stylist Anaita Shroff Adajania reshared a runway video on Instagram, calling the sandals “a pair of good old Kolhapuri chappals,” while fashion critic Diet Sabya questioned the ethics of selling them at a luxury price point .
Fashion designer Rina Dhaka said, “I’m flattered that they’ve picked up on the Kolhapuri trend,” but added, “It’s sad that the Kolhapuri patent isn’t strong enough for it to get a word in and be acknowledged”.
Fashion Colonialism: A Recurring Issue
Prada’s use of Kolhapuri-inspired sandals without credit has become a part of a broader pattern in the fashion industry, which is being followed by fashion houses in the west. This term often called ‘fashion colonialism’ has been a issue which keeps surfacing time and time again where, western brands frequently draw inspiration from non-Western cultures, rebranding their traditional designs as their own without acknowledging their origins or compensating the communities that created them. The Kolhapuri chappal incident has also highlighted the previous controversies, such as debates over Scandinavian brands appropriating cultural motifs without acknowledgement.
Don’t Miss Out on the Latest Updates.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter Today!
