Prada showcases latest collection featuring Kolhapuri chappal lookalikes, netizens react: ‘Sarojini went international’

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.

Anaita Adajania Shroff’s Instagram story (Source: Insatgram/@anaitaadajaniashroff)

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.

Models walking for Prada’s SS’26 Men’s collection (Source: Instagram/@nikhilmansata)

What are Kolhapuri chappals?

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.

According to Shweta Navandar, Associate Professor, Department of Fashion Communication, Pearl Academy Mumbai, this renowned style of footwear received global recognition in the form of a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2019.

“Historically, Kolhapuris can be traced back to the 12th century during the reign of King Bijjal of Karnataka and his Prime Minister, Vishwaguru Basavanna, who worked to uplift the cobbler community. However, it wasn’t until the 20th century, under the rule of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur, that the footwear began to be widely traded,” she told indianexpress.com. Navanadar added that during his reign, 29 tanning centres were established to boost production and trade.

“Depending on the region where they were made, these sandals were also known by various names such as Kapashi, Paitaan, Kachkadi, Bakkalnali, and Pukari. By 18th century, it became very popular as Kolhapuri and soon after that it was also designed in adjoining towns and cities of Maharashtra and got itself branded,” she mentioned.

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.