Bombay HC dismisses PIL against Prada amid technical team’s visit to Kolhapuri chappal artisans

A technical crew of the worldwide style model Prada visited the Kolhapuri chappal artisans and the well-known chappal market of Kolhapur throughout their two-day go to, which ended on Wednesday (July 16, 2025). They took samples of the leather-based work from the artisans. Additionally they met the district collector of Kolhapur in a courtesy go to. The four-member crew included Prada’s footwear division’s pattern-making supervisor and the director of the boys’s technical and manufacturing division. They had been accompanied by two exterior consultants.

Throughout the go to, the crew was gifted a pair of ‘Mauje Puda Kapshi’ Kolhapuri chappals by an area artisan, a centuries-old design which native artisans say was the inspiration behind Prada’s controversial leather-based sandals launched throughout their current summer time/spring assortment. In the meantime, the Bombay Excessive Courtroom dismissed a PIL filed towards the style large.

Six advocates had sought motion towards Prada for allegedly copying the design of the iconic Kolhapuri chappal. A Division Bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne questioned the locus standi of the petitioners, who had been neither registered proprietors underneath the Geographical Indications of Items (Registration and Safety) Act nor instantly affected events.

In Kolhapur, the technical crew of Prada consisted of Paolo Tiveron, Director of Males’s Technical and Manufacturing Division – Footwear Division; Daniele Contu, Sample Making Supervisor – Footwear Division; Andrea Pollastrelli, Exterior advisor; and Roberto Pollastrelli, Exterior advisor. They visited Inga leather-based work, LIDCOM (Sant Rohidas Leather-based Industries & Charmakar Improvement Company Restricted) centre, Karakari Leather-based works, Kolhapuri chappal girls artisans’ cluster at Kagal, Sunil Lokare and Rohit Gavali’s manufacturing services.

“The four-member crew had come from Italy. We took them to the manufacturing services of some native artisans the place they noticed the method of constructing Kolhapuri chappals within the conventional method, with out utilizing any equipment. They took images and understood the method minutely. Thereafter, they visited the well-known Kolhapuri chappal market,” Lalit Gandhi, chairperson of MACCIA (Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Trade and Agriculture), informed The Hindu from Kolhapur. He mentioned that the developments led to hopes for Kolhapur. “If we get their technical assist, we will make our mark on the worldwide platform,” he added.

The crew additionally paid a courtesy go to to Kolhapur District Collector Amol Yedge. “They appreciated the abilities of our artisans, making the Kolhapuri chappals. We appraised them of the general public sentiments concerning the identification of the Kolhapuri chappals and informed them that there have been robust sentiments right here concerning the Kolhapuri identification of the leather-based sandals. They took word of it. Additionally they mentioned they may get again to the potential of any worth addition within the course of, after discussing this with their Board of Members,” Amol Yedge, district collector of Kolhapur, informed The Hindu.

Additionally learn | Meet the real artisans behind India’s iconic Kolhapuri chappals — now in the global spotlight

The worldwide style large had confronted a flak for not crediting the Kolhapuri chappals because the inspiration behind its leather-based sandals launched throughout the current summer time/spring assortment.

News in Frames | Kolhapuri chappals walk on chic runways

Fingers at work: Artisans set out leather-based items of varied sizes to make the chappals.

First step: Items of vegetable-tanned leather-based is laid out to dry underneath the solar on a terrace on Kolhapur.

Bootstrapping custom: Leather-based ‘ears’ used to connect the T-strap are left to dry at a workshop.

Crafting every step: Instruments used to make Kolhapuri chappals are stored in exact order for the comfort of the artisans.

Shaping the only: Absorbed in his work, a craftsman cuts the precise form for a chappal.

On the anvil: The Kolhapuri chappals are handcrafted in modest workshops.

A sew in time: At her house workshop, an artisan stitches the only of the chappal.

Ending touches: Inside Kolhapur’s Chappal market, an artisan polishes a pair of Kolhapuris, giving the handmade leather-based its sheen.

Royal replicas: Shubam Satpute, proprietor of Igna Leathers, showcases a pair of royal Kolhapuris, replicas of the footwear as soon as worn by King Shahu Maharaj, who is taken into account a visionary ruler.

Timeless show: Kolhapuri chappals on show at Rashtriya Leather-based Works, one of many oldest retailers out there. The cottage business has obtained a lift with the worldwide consideration after style model Prada praised the craftsmanship behind the standard footwear.

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Prada gifted the unique design

Shubham Satpute, the fourth technology proprietor of Inga Leather-based Works in Kolhapur’s Subhashnagar space, gifted a pair of ‘Mauje Puda Kapshi’ Kolhapuri chappal to the technical crew of Prada. “It’s a thousand years outdated design. It was the exact same design that that they had launched of their assortment,” he mentioned. Shubham’s reel on the design had gone viral then. His household has been working the enterprise since 1902.

“The aim of the go to was to grasp the standard course of behind Kolhapuri chappal making — a time-honored craft that has been preserved and perfected by native artisans over generations. Throughout their go to, the Prada crew carefully noticed key strategies akin to hand-stitching, leather-based reducing, Veni making (leather-based braiding), and Detha Veni — a signature braided T-strap model that represents the hallmark of genuine Kolhapuri footwear. Additionally they explored the number of Kolhapuri chappal designs, gaining insights into the artistry, cultural significance, and meticulous guide work concerned in every pair. The crew was significantly impressed by the refined ability and a focus to element proven by the artisans, who create each piece with out the usage of industrial equipment,” he mentioned, including that the crew took samples of some completed and unfinished work.

“They took the leather-based strap and veni (skinny, ornamental braids made from leather-based strings). They had been right here at my studio for nearly one and a half hours on Tuesday night,” he mentioned.

After visiting the well-known Kolhapuri chappal market within the metropolis, the crew expressed satisfaction and acquired a couple of pairs. “We count on that one thing optimistic ought to come out of this go to,” mentioned Shivajirao Powar, the chairperson of Kolhapuri chappal footwear affiliation.