Say Nada to Prada! (and yes to ethical brands that give credit where credit is due)

Have you heard about the Sandal Scandal?

Prada recently presented their Spring/Summer 2026 Men's collection in

Milan. And the star of that show?

Flat T-strap sandals, closely resembling Kolhapuri chappals (Hindi for sandals or slippers).

What’s that, you ask?

Kolhapuri chappals are traditionally crafted sandals, initially produced in villages

around Kolhapur, Maharashtra, in India. They have a rich history dating back to the 12th century. Known for their unique design and durability, the chappals are a symbol of Indian craftsmanship and are still popular today.

I wore these growing up and relished weekend trips to inner city markets in Mumbai where they were sold. Kohlapur is a few hours from Mumbai. Yes, women wore them too!

Pic Credits: Wikimedia Commons

Great, I think...unique footwear design from India is on the world stage, but…SURPRISE!

The Sandal Scandal

Prada did not acknowledge or give any recognition to this uniqe footwear.

Nada!

It simply described the chappals as "Heritage Leather Sandals in Burnished Ochre", with no mention of the origin of this design.

And the price? ANOTHER SURPRISE!

If you want a pair, Prada will set you back a mere $1,350. They are available for $20 in India's street markets.

Below is a social media post describing the Sandal Scandal, as is it is now known.

Excerpt from a social media post

But don't take my word for it, or social media's, there's lots of reporting on it. Just google "sandal scandal".

The similarities to the Kolhapuri sandals did not go unnoticed. The backlash was swift and justified. While the global attention is welcome, the lack of reference to the craftsmen or origin is disappointing.

The controversy reveals a troubling pattern in luxury fashion. When luxury brands draw "inspiration" form traditional crafts without proper credit or compensation, they're not just borrowing designs---they're extracting centuries of cultural knowledge and expertise in artisanal fashion for corporate profit.

Prada has since acknowledged its mistake and acknowledged the work of the craftsman and the origin of the sandals.

Why this matters

The Prada controversy illuminates the stark difference between authentic artisanal fashion and luxury brands that have lost touch with genuine craftsmanship.

When you choose truly artisanal fashion you're supporting:

Real Artisans: Your money goes directly to skilled craftspeople who genuinely need the income as a buffer during lean periods such as Covid, when the luxury brands were the first to cancel orders without compensation to the artisans.

Transparent sourcing, design and production: Authentic artisanal brands share the real stories behind their pieces - who made them, where materials come from, what techniques were used in production.

Respect for tradition and culture: Genuine artisanal brands either create within their own cultural traditions or ensure proper attribution and fair compensation when drawing from other cultures: they appreciate, rather than appropriate.

Fair Pricing: Aritsanal fashion reflects the true value of skilled craftsmanship, not luxury markups that exploit traditional designs.

Say Nada to Prada!

I strive to be a genuine, ethical artisanal brand.

At Premaasi:

• I want you to know the traditions behind the fabric techniques and stories of the piece and its creators --- as in the story of these kantha sari scarves or these sari silk bead necklaces.

  
  

• I tell you when a scarf I sell has been inspired by street style as in this post about the gamcha.

  
  

• My pricing reflects the value of traditional craftsmanship, and the artisan pricing is set by the artisans

  
  

• I work hard to source genuine artisanal fashion products that are unique, not just here in the USA but in India too.

The next time you are consider a fashion purchase, I hope you will support an ethical artisanal fashion brand,

And, of course, I hope you will consider Premaasi.

Please share this post with your designer and artist friends (or others who might care about this issue).

Finally, an acknowledgement:

Vandana Sodder, a friend, helped write and research this post.