Latest news with #Kolhapuri
News18
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Prada Shows Kolhapuri-Like Sandals, But Indians Call Out The Lack Of Acknowledgement
Last Updated: At the Prada Men's Spring/Summer 2026 show in Milan, Indians spotted something familiar - a Kolhapuri style sandal. This has sparked a cultural appropriation debate online. Prada unveiled its Men's Spring/Summer 2026 collection at the Deposito of Fondazione Prada in Milan – a space known for its stark minimalism and architectural drama. Designed by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, the show was a characteristic blend of whimsy, futuristic tailoring, and cerebral aesthetics. Yet amid the conceptual silhouettes and fine tailoring, one accessory stole the spotlight: a distinctly familiar pair of sandals. Slim, skeletal, with a prominent toe ring and unmistakable tan leather- a classic Indian Kolhapuri style chappal made an unexpected cameo. Interestingly, this is not the first time Indian items have been used by the West in fashion. Popular fashion page Diet Sabya shared a video from the Prada show and talked about how this trend has been going on since time immemorial. They wrote, 'Chintz, cummerbunds, Nehru jackets. Turbans on international runways. Recently, the ludicrous 'Scandi Scarf' and 'Mandi Bag'! Along with a slew of remixes of Indian fits that had zero business being remixed. And now? The Kolhapuri?! Not to be that nagging aunty, but are we ready for a Prada Kolhapuri that'll cost us £1,000 a pair? And that'll be 'Fashion" because Europeans will suddenly start wearing it. Quite interesting if you think about it." Take a look at the post here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by DietSabya® (@dietsabya) The Prada show invite also paid a subtle nod to the Kolhapuri. The invite included a tan-hued 'leather ring' which is a stark reminder of the signature Kolhapuri's toe-loop design. View this post on Instagram A post shared by STYLE NOT COM 🧢 (@stylenotcom) Talking about seeing the Kolhapuri on the global stage, Aprajita Toor – founder of her eponymous footwear brand- told News18: 'The Kolhapuri isn't just a shoe, it's a footprint of Indian heritage, handcrafted by generations of artisans. It's wonderful to see this iconic silhouette travel global runways, but even more vital that its cultural roots and creators are acknowledged. Fashion becomes more meaningful when it's grounded in history and gives credit where it's due. The applause must echo back to the artisans. The Kolhapuri is heritage, passed hand to hand, soul to sole." top videos View all While Prada has yet to reveal what it plans to call these sandals, many in India are voicing frustration over yet another instance of Indian design being lifted without due credit or cultural acknowledgement on social media platforms. One user wrote, 'I hope they call it Kolhapuris, instead of rebranding it as sandals. Everything Indian gets renamed." A second user noted, 'How easily brands take away the OG identity and think it's ok to do that…Guts." A third user said, 'Prada SS26 includes kolhapuri chappal, which originates from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India and is known for its intricate design and craftsmanship. Just like 'Scandinavian scarves', the Western fashion industry is ripping off Indian fashion again." The recent reinterpretation of dupattas as 'Scandinavian scarves", Indians fashion enthusiasts are taking note of this erasure. While borrowing from cultural archives is hardly new in high fashion, the line between inspiration and appropriation has grown increasingly fraught. The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : fashion lifestyle Prada Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: June 23, 2025, 20:29 IST News lifestyle Prada Shows Kolhapuri-Like Sandals, But Indians Call Out The Lack Of Acknowledgement
NDTV
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Kolhapuri Chappals Walk The Prada Runway. Without Any Credit To India, Unsurprisingly
The fashion world is finally catching on: India isn't just watching the runway, it's setting the trends. From designers like Sabyasachi and Rahul Mishra lighting up international fashion weeks to Indian motifs making their way into high fashion editorials, there's no denying it -- India is having a moment. But ask the Internet and fashion insiders, and they'll tell you one thing: the global industry still hasn't learned how to say "credit where it's due". Especially when it comes to anything 'inspired by' India. Take the latest fashion lookback. What's being paraded as cutting-edge often feels suspiciously familiar. From dupattas rebranded as "Scandinavian scarves" to lehengas styled as Y2K maxi skirts, to Gucci calling Alia Bhatt's Cannes saree look, a gown; the West seems to be falling in love with Indian fashion... but conveniently forgetting to mention it. And now, the humble Kolhapuri chappal has entered the global chat. What Yes, those Kolhapuris. The iconic, hand-stitched leather sandals that trace their roots back to 12th or 13th century Maharashtra have walked their way onto the global stage, thanks to none other than Prada. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Prada (@prada) The Italian luxury label unveiled its Spring/Summer 2026 collection in a dramatic, meaning-defying showcase curated by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons. With 56 looks in total, the show leaned hard into contrasts -- think brown leather jackets paired with briefs, and grey suits layered over red turtlenecks. The theme? "A shift of attitude - dismantling of meaning, and dismantling power." But there was little shift of attitude when it came to mentioning India. While the fashion crowd tried to decode the chaos, Indian viewers had laser focus -- four of the models were wearing what unmistakably looked like Kolhapuri chappals. A Legacy In Leather Here's a quick crash course on these chappal s: Kolhapuris are not just footwear, they're tradition stitched in leather. Originally crafted by skilled cobblers in the Kolhapur region, they gained fame for their durability, unique design and comfort. In the 18th century, King Shahu Maharaj himself helped popularise them, elevating their status beyond the local bazaar. Kholapuri chappal s are a favourite with not only influcencers, but Bollywood too. Today, you'll find Kolhapuris everywhere -- from street style to designer racks. And now, it seems, the Prada runway in Milan as well. But is this global love letter to Indian footwear authentic appreciation, or yet another case of fashion whitewashing? Mixed Reactions Online While some users celebrated the global spotlight on Indian craftsmanship, others weren't impressed. Many called it a repeat of the infamous "Scandinavian scarf" episode -- when Western brands styled a chunni and called it Nordic minimalism. "Prada SS26 includes Kolhapuri chappal, which originated from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India, and is known for its intricate design and craftsmanship. Just like the 'Scandinavian scarves', the Western fashion industry is ripping off Indian fashion again," read one sharp comment on X. Here's what the internet had to say: It's not the first time a luxury brand has borrowed -- or outright lifted -- from Indian heritage. And while some argue that fashion has always been about borrowing and blending, the lack of attribution still stings.
Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Prada's 'Kolhapuri chappals' make their runway debut; but this is just another Scandi scarf controversy in the making
The Kolhapuri chappal is now global. Prada's 'Kolhapuri chappals' make their runway debut — but people aren't the least bit happy(Photos: X, Korakari) But that's where the irony lies — for something so deeply desi, and hence expansive, to be considered 'global', contingent on (and only) an unassumingly entitled nod from a luxury stronghold. Prada showcased its Men's Spring Summer 2026 collection yesterday at the Deposito of the Fondazione Prada, Milan. Introduced by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, the Italian luxury house's lineup was whimsical, softly futuristic and as it goes, not for the mango crowd. But that's the whole point. The rhetoric and debate over this however, took a back seat in the face of the detail that became the inevitable showstopper — Prada's very own Kolhapuri chappals (although we're pretty sure they won't be calling it that). The slim build, the ring-ed toe and the skeletal frame — referring to these pairs of tan exoticism (sadly), as anything but Kolhapuri chappals, would make for yet another chapter in the growing volume of rooted Indian fashion, being colonised sans a sliver of acknowledgement. did it again There's inspiration, and then there's unacknowledged duplication. There's a third strain to this too — a continued and problematic denial of there having been any appropriation. From the looks of it, Prada was absolutely anticipating the Kolhapuri chappals to land as chic-ly as they did. Each show invite was literally packed with a "leather ring" as a token takeaway for all the attendees. Now need we remind you that the Kolhapuri's USP sits with that toe ring. Magnifying this to broader global narratives, the disapproving reception of Prada's Kolhapuri chappals feels like a Scandi scarf scandal 3.0. We say 3.0, in acknowledgement of the infuriating back-and-forth when it came to asserting the true inspiration behind the viral-for-the-summer 'Ibiza' aesthetic as desi applique work and embroidery. What is the Scandinavian scarf but a dupatta? What are the Ibiza-core minis and skirts but saturated texture on western silhouettes? And what are the earthy Prada 'sandals' but literally Kolhapuri chappals? Wake up babe, we're literally living through fashion.
Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Prada showcases latest collection featuring Kolhapuri chappal lookalikes, netizens react: ‘Sarojini went international'
From Nehru jackets to turbans, cummerbunds to dupattas, global fashion has incorporated pieces integral to Indian culture in its mood boards and lookbooks—often without giving due credit and recognition. The latest to do so is Italian luxury brand Prada, whose Spring Summer 2026 Men's collection dropped Kolhapuri-esque footwear, much to our distaste. As the models strutted down the runway, the quintessential Kolhapuri chappal on their feet caught the Internet's attention, with people expressing outrage over yet another element of Indian fashion being borrowed without proper acknowledgement. Celebrity stylist Anaita Shroff Adajania took to social media to reshare a video of the runway show, reiterating that what Prada had their models showcase on the ramp was nothing but a pair of good old Kolhapuri chappals. Following her footsteps, digital creator and fashion critic Diet Sabya posted their thoughts on Instagram: 'Not to be that nagging aunty but are we ready for a Prada Kolhapuri that'll cost us £1,000 a pair? And that'll be 'Fashion' because Europeans will suddenly start wearing it. Quite interesting if you think about it.' According to them, the market has recently experienced a shift from 'Made in France and Italy' products (hailed as the benchmark of quality) to 'Made in India' ones sold with a European label and name. 'All that embroidery, all that artisanal flex, all produced in India. Always has been,' they added. Netizens are split over the recent launch, taking to comments to express their unfiltered views and reactions. While some drew parallels to its similarity back home, stating 'Grandpa used to have the same chappal' and 'THE CHAPPAL GOES GLOBAL', others were not quite so happy. Statements such as 'How easily brands take away the OG identity and think it's ok to do that … Guts' to 'These joggers are at every street vendor in Delhi's Lajpat, Sarojini, Karol Bagh, etc markets 😮💨for ₹150-300 🥲,' and 'Sarojini went international,' were common appearances in the comments section. Hailing from the humble Maharashtrian city of Kolhapur, these slip-on chappals are handcrafted from premium quality leather by skilled artisans who have been at it for generations. According to a blog post by Korakari Kolhapur Chappals, these shoes are built to last, and their durability and unmatched comfort make them a favourite among the Indian crowd. In fact, once you bypass their break-in period, these slippers take the shape of the wearer's feet over time and provide a custom fit. Kolhapuri chappals are not just footwear—they are a piece of Indian heritage. Wearing them supports traditional craftsmanship and helps preserve an age-old art form. They can serve you for many years with proper care, weathering rain and storm, making them a sustainable and cost-effective choice in the long run.
Indian Express
10-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Misal grabs 18th spot in TasteAtlas' ‘50 Best Breakfasts' list; how this humble Maharashtrian dish became a symbol of pride
Misal, chole bhature, and paratha, three beloved staples from Indian kitchens, have been named among the 50 Best Breakfasts in the World, as per the latest list released by TasteAtlas, a global food and travel guide. Misal secured the 18th spot, while paratha came in at 23rd, and chole bhature came in at 32nd. 'These are the best breakfasts of the world!' the caption mentions. While Turkey's Kahvaltı secured the top position, followed by Serbia's Komplet Lepinja, the recognition of Misal, chole bhature, and paratha reflects how deeply comforting and culturally significant Indian breakfasts are. Misal, a fiery and flavourful curry made with sprouted moth beans, topped with farsan and chopped onions, is often served with pav and a slice of lemon. Originally from Maharashtra, this dish is known for its spicy, tangy punch and regional variations. Its roots go beyond taste — it's a reflection of humble ingredients transformed into a hearty, energising start to the day. Alok Singh, expert on food history and science at Diga Organics, tells 'Misal's popularity stems from its deep roots in Maharashtrian working-class culture. It originated as a nourishing, protein-rich breakfast that provided lasting energy to labourers and farmers, especially in rural regions like Kolhapur. The combination of sprouted legumes, spicy gravy, farsan, and pav made it affordable and sustaining. Over time, misal evolved into a cultural staple, served in homes, canteens, and street stalls across the state.' A post shared by TasteAtlas (@tasteatlas) Its popularity is also linked to how it combines Maharashtra's love for spice, layered textures, and community-style eating. Even today, he says that a plate of misal is 'more than food; it's a symbol of regional pride, heritage, and hospitality.' The two most common variations are Kolhapuri and Puneri. Singh mentions that Kolhapuri misal is known for its fiery spice levels and robust flavour profile, reflecting the bold culinary traditions of southern Maharashtra. Puneri misal, on the other hand, is milder, slightly sweet, and often garnished with yoghurt, mirroring Pune's more subdued and refined palate. 'These variations reflect not just regional taste preferences but also each region's lifestyle, climate, and food philosophies. For instance, hotter regions often lean into spicier foods, while urban centers like Pune adapt traditional recipes with modern moderation. This diversity within a single dish like Misal showcases Maharashtra's rich culinary pluralism and its ability to localise flavour without compromising identity,' he informs. Preserving traditional cooking methods and ingredients is vital, not just for culinary heritage, but also for public health. Singh explains, 'The original Misal recipe uses sprouted moth beans, which are high in plant-based protein, fibre, and micronutrients. The preparation involves slow cooking, use of homemade spices, and minimal processing, all of which contribute to better nutrition.' He adds that as Indian breakfasts like Misal receive global attention, there's a risk of commercial versions diluting their nutritional value in favor of convenience. Preserving authenticity ensures that these dishes remain wholesome and rooted in local food wisdom. It also supports regional farmers and small-scale spice producers who form the backbone of India's food ecosystem. 'In a time where highly processed foods are linked to metabolic disorders, going back to our roots, literally and figuratively, could be one of the best health decisions we make as a society,' says the expert.
