Prada, Lidcom and Lidkar–two Indian government organizations that safeguard, promote and develop the Indian leather industry and heritage of Kolhapuri Chappals–signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Consulate General of Italy in Mumbai within the Italy–India Business Forum in Mumbai.
Prerna Deshbhratar, Paolo Zannoni and Dr. K.M. Vasundhara signing agreement
The agreement sets out the framework, implementation and guidance of the “Prada Made in India x Inspired by Kolhapuri Chappals” project, which will celebrate Indian craftsmanship through a limited-edition collection of sandals debuting globally in February 2026 across 40 select Prada stores and on Prada’s official e-commerce platform.
These sandals will be manufactured in India in collaboration with skilled artisans from the Maharashtra and Karnataka regions, where they handcraft the traditional sandals.
Combining traditional techniques with Prada’s contemporary design and premium materials, the collection creates a unique dialogue between Indian heritage and modern luxury expression.
The traditional Kolhapuri Chappals are manufactured across eight districts—four in Maharashtra (Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Solapur) and four in Karnataka (Belagavi, Bagalkot, Dharwad, Bijapur).
In 2019, Kolhapuri Chappals were also granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, safeguarding their authenticity and highlighting their cultural significance.
The decision arrives after a few months when some criticism had risen after Prada, had brought on its s/s 2026 men’s catwalk show featuring a sandal inspired by the traditional Kolhapuri Chappals sandals.
This initiative with the Indian institutions sets a new chapter in the “Made In…” project, which was launched by Prada over a decade ago to celebrate artisanal excellence globally. It aims to identify and collaborate with master craftspeople on contemporary, innovative designs that embody an unparalleled standard of quality transcending geographical boundaries.
Through this project, Prada Group, in collaboration with Lidcom and Lidkar, will define and implement training programs locally aimed at helping artisans upscale their skills while preserving the traditional craftsmanship that inspired the project, following the model of the Prada Group Academy.
The aim is to foster the exchange of skills and knowledge, ensuring that these techniques continue to thrive, while creating learning opportunities for young people within local communities.
An artisan working at a Prada Made in India x Inspired by Kolhapuri Chappals sandal
“Our collaboration with Lidcom and Lidkar stems from a meaningful cultural exchange, where every voice contributed to creating not just a product, but a broader initiative. We are proud to announce the launch of this collection, and we are committed to develop training programs supporting Indian artisans and ensuring that their exceptional craftsmanship secures its place in today’s evolving industry,” commented Lorenzo Bertelli, head of corporate social responsibility, Prada Group.
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