Maharashtra

A shopkeeper shows Kolhapuri sandals to a customer at shop in Mumbai. File. | Photo Credit: AP Days after the Prada controversy about Kolhapuri chappals, and after a business body from Maharashtra engaged in discussion with Prada, Maharashtra-based LIDCOM and Karnataka-based LIDKAR have reaffirmed their ownership of the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Kolhapuri chappals. “No individual or organization other than us is authorized to engage in any discussion, negotiation, or representation with Prada or similar international entities,” a press release issued jointly on Friday (August 1, 2025) by LIDCOM Managing Director Prerna Deshbhratar and LIDKAR Managing Director K.M. Vasundhara…

The Prada technical team visited Inga leather work, LIDCOM (Sant Rohidas Leather Industries & Charmakar Development Corporation Limited) centre, Karakari Leather works, Kolhapuri chappal women artisans’ cluster at Kagal, Sunil Lokare and Rohit Gavali’s production facilities. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement A technical team of global fashion brand Prada visited the Kolhapuri chappal artisans and the famous chappal market of Kolhapur during their two-day visit that ended on Wednesday (July 16, 2025). They took samples of the leather work from the artisans. They also met the district Collector of Kolhapur in a courtesy visit. The four-member team included Prada’s footwear…

A worker polishes the kolhapuri chappals at his shop in Chappal market in Kolhapur. | Photo Credit: EMMANUAL YOGINI The Bombay High Court on Wednesday (July 16, 2025) dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) against Italian fashion house Prada for its alleged unauthorised use of the famous Kolhapuri chappals(sandals).A bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne questioned the “locus” and statutory right of the five advocates who had filed the PIL, saying they were not the aggrieved persons or the registered proprietor or owner of the footwear.“You are not the owner of this Kolhapuri chappal. What is…

A man artisan does work on Kolhapuri at his residence in Kolhapur. File | Photo Credit: The Hindu Responding to the backlash against its recent appropriation of Kolhapur’s iconic ‘chappals’, Italian luxury fashion house Prada intends to launch a limited edition of ‘Made in India’ leather sandals, inspired by and in partnership with local artisans, according to the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA). After its first meeting with Prada representatives via video conferencing on Friday (July 11, 2025), MACCIA said the fashion major intends to send a technical team to Maharashtra next week in this regard.“The capsule…