Rs 1.2 lakh for Kolhapuris chappals: Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge slams Italian fashion brand Prada; urges support for Belagavi craftsmen | Bengaluru News – Times of India

BENGALURU: Reacting to the row involving Italian fashion brand Prada and Kolhapuri chappals, RDPR minister Priyank Kharge said artisans and their legacy must be “showcased” instead of being “sidelined” by international fashion houses. “So, Prada is selling what are essentially Kolhapuri chappals for Rs 1.2 lakh a pair,” he said on X. He said local handicrafts and artisans should be promoted through cultural entrepreneurship. “They don’t just deserve credit, they deserve better prices, wider exposure, and the chance to build lasting, dignified livelihoods from their craft,” Priyank said. He said many artisans who make the iconic chappals are from Karnataka’s Belagavi, Bagalkot and Dharwad, and revealed that he intervened to ensure the GI tag was given jointly to Maharashtra and Karnataka. “This was never about a contest between two states but about preserving our shared heritage,” he said. “The GI tag only gives them legal rights. It’s our responsibility to give them global platforms,” he said.Prada’s Rs 1.2L Kolhapuri-style sandals stir cultural theft row Prada’s recent Spring/Summer 2026 showcase at Milan Fashion Week featured ₹1.2 lakh “leather flat sandals” that closely resembled India’s traditional Kolhapuri chappals—sparking widespread outrage over cultural appropriation. The handcrafted, GI-tagged footwear, with roots in 12th-century Maharashtra, was rebranded by the Italian fashion house without initial credit to its origin or the artisans behind it. Designer and activist Laila Tyabji slammed the move, calling it a reflection of how Indian heritage is undervalued at home but repackaged abroad as luxury. After days of backlash, Prada acknowledged the sandals were “inspired” by Indian craftsmanship and claimed they were not yet commercialised, adding that the brand is open to dialogue with Indian artisan communities. Legal action may follow, with GI expert Ganesh Hingare preparing a case under India’s Geographical Indication Act, calling it a violation of intellectual property rights and a “cultural insult.” Meanwhile, domestic brands like Bata India and local artisans from Kolhapur to Janpath have spoken out, pointing to the hypocrisy of global fashion houses glamorising what’s long been accessible and affordable in India.