Prada is looking to collaborate with “artisanal footwear” makers in India in a partnership, it said yesterday, two weeks after the Italian luxury group triggered a controversy by debuting ethnic sandals resembling 12th-century Indian ones.
After viral photos from a Milan fashion show drew criticism from Indian artisans who make the sandals – named after the historic city of Kolhapur in Maharashtra state – Prada was forced late last month to acknowledge that its new open-toe footwear was inspired by ancient Indian designs.
The furore even saw sales of Indian sandals boom, with sellers and artisans seeing the controversy as a way to promote the heritage craft by tapping into nationalist pride.
Prada told Reuters that it held talks remotely yesterday with the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, which represents 3,000 Kolhapuri sandal artisans, and discussed potential opportunities for future collaboration.
“The next step will be for Prada’s supply chain team to meet a range of artisanal footwear manufacturers,” the company said.
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