Kareena Kapoor Calls Out Prada Over Kolhapuri Chappal Design Controversy

Actress Kareena Kapoor recently took to social media to voice her disapproval of luxury fashion house Prada, accusing the brand of copying traditional Kolhapuri chappal designs.

The incident has ignited a wider conversation around cultural appropriation and respect for indigenous craftsmanship.

On Sunday, Kareena Kapoor posted an Instagram story featuring a close-up of her feet adorned with her authentic Kolhapuri chappals.

The caption read, ‘Sorry, not Prada…but my OG Kolhapuri’, a clear, understated jab at the Italian brand.

Kapoor deliberately kept her face out of the frame, allowing her footwear to be the focal point and statement.

This post comes shortly after Prada unveiled their ‘Toe Ring Sandals’ at the Men’s Spring/Summer 2026 fashion show held in Milan on 22 June.

The sandals bore a striking resemblance to the traditional Kolhapuri chappals, a handcrafted footwear style originating from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.

Prada’s controversial design

Prada stirred controversy by launching new sandals without explicitly acknowledging their Indian inspiration.

Although the brand stated that the design was “inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear with a centuries-old heritage,” many critics and artisans argued that the brand did not give sufficient recognition, bordering on cultural appropriation.

The brand further irked the Indian artisan community by pricing the sandals steeply, nearly ₹1 lakh.

This high price led artisans to feel that Prada exploited their centuries-old craftsmanship commercially without giving proper credit or compensation.

Legal action & cultural debate

The filing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court escalated the controversy.

The petitioners demand compensation for the Kolhapuri chappal artisans, alleging that Prada copied their traditional designs without proper acknowledgement.

This case highlights ongoing concerns in the fashion industry regarding the use of indigenous designs by global luxury brands, often without credit or benefit to the original creators.

Prada’s response

In response, Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada’s CSR Head, acknowledged the footwear’s cultural roots in a statement.

He said, “We acknowledge that the sandals featured in the recent Prada Men’s 2026 Fashion Show are inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage. We deeply recognise the cultural significance of such Indian craftsmanship.”

While Prada’s statement attempts to address concerns, the debate over ethical fashion practices and respect for indigenous art continues to gain momentum.

Kareena Kapoor’s subtle yet powerful social media gesture has brought renewed attention to the importance of respecting cultural heritage in fashion.

As the discussion around intellectual property and traditional art intensifies, people hope authorities will act.

They want greater safeguards and fair recognition for indigenous artisans to honour and preserve their crafts globally.

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