In a historic step that could change how the world views and values Indian workmanship, the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture (MACCIA) has partnered with international fashion brand Prada to launch a cultural project. This comes after Prada’s Spring-Summer 2026 show in Milan, where designs based on the famous Kolhapuri chappals were displayed without giving the craftspeople credit or mentioning that they were Indian.
“On June 24, shortly after noticing their Milan collection, we respectfully wrote to Prada,” MACCIA President Lalit Gandhi stated in an exclusive interview with NDTV. We suggested a cooperative strategy and emphasized the Kolhapuri chappals’ cultural and GI value. Prada deserves praise for their excellent response, which paved the way for a special collaboration where luxury fashion and tradition collide.
Gandhi referred to the action as a “paradigm shift” for the craftspeople of Maharashtra. “Our artists have been creating masterpieces for decades that have no international recognition or intrinsic value. This partnership makes a powerful statement: our traditional craft merits a position on the global scene with respect and financial potential. It’s a change from being unidentified suppliers to being internationally renowned producers.
A Prada delegation will spend four to five days in Mumbai and Kolhapur as part of the next phase. There are plans to establish knowledge-sharing sessions and craft documentation units. The group will examine contemporary eco-drying facilities that enable Kolhapuri chappals to be produced all year round, even during the rainy season.
asked if Prada need to split the earnings as some Kolhapuri designs cost more than Rs 1 lakh. Gandhi clarified that in Kolhapur, genuine, entirely handmade Kolhapuris are currently sold for between Rs 2,500 and Rs 3,000. “If Prada purchases directly from craftspeople at a price of Rs 10,000 each pair, it triples their revenue instead of paying royalties. We are striving for a sustainable model like that.
Through this collaboration, Kolhapuri craftspeople may finally receive the respect, value, and international recognition they have long earned.
