Prada technical team visits Kolhapuri chappal artisans, takes samples, gifted original design similar to their controversial leather sandals

A technical workforce of world trend model Prada visited the Kolhapuri chappal artisans and the well-known chappal market of Kolhapur throughout their two-day go to that ended on Wednesday (July 16, 2025). They took samples of the leather-based work from the artisans. In addition they met the district Collector of Kolhapur in a courtesy go to. The four-member workforce included Prada’s footwear division’s sample making supervisor and the director of males’s technical and manufacturing division. They had been accompanied by two exterior consultants. In the course of the go to, the workforce was gifted a pair of ‘Mauje Puda Kapshi’ Kolhapuri chappals by a neighborhood artisan, a centuries’ previous design which native artisans say was the inspiration behind Prada’s controversial leather-based sandals launched throughout their current summer time/spring assortment.

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The workforce 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 Growth Company Restricted) centre, Karakari Leather-based works, Kolhapuri chappal ladies artisans’ cluster at Kagal, Sunil Lokare and Rohit Gavali’s manufacturing services.

“The four-member workforce 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 photographs and understood the method minutely. Thereafter, they visited the well-known Kolhapuri chappal market,” Lalit Gandhi, chairperson of MACCIA (Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Business and Agriculture), instructed The Hindu from Kolhapur. He stated that the developments led to hopes for Kolhapur. “If we get their technical help, we will make our mark on the worldwide platform,” he added.

The Sandal Scandal: Of Birks, Crocs, and Fakes | Part 2 | In Focus podcast

The workforce 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 in regards to the identification of the Kolhapuri chappals and instructed them that there have been sturdy sentiments right here in regards to the Kolhapuri identification of the leather-based sandals. They took word of it. In addition they stated they may get again with respect 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, instructed The Hindu.

The worldwide trend big had confronted a flak for not crediting the Kolhapuri chappals because the inspiration behind its leather-based sandals launched in the course of the current summer time/spring assortment.

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 workforce of Prada. “It’s a thousand years previous design. It was the exact same design that that they had launched of their assortment,” he stated. Mr. 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 know the normal course of behind Kolhapuri chappal making — a time-honoured craft that has been preserved and perfected by native artisans over generations. Throughout their go to, the Prada workforce carefully noticed key methods akin to hand-stitching, leather-based reducing, Veni making (leather-based braiding), and Detha Veni — a signature braided T-strap fashion that represents the hallmark of genuine Kolhapuri footwear. In addition they explored the number of Kolhapuri chappal designs, gaining insights into the artistry, cultural significance, and meticulous handbook work concerned in every pair. The workforce was notably impressed by the refined talent and a spotlight to element proven by the artisans, who create every bit with out using industrial equipment,” he stated, including that the workforce 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 (July 15, 2025),” he stated.

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