On FDCI President Sunil Sethi Prada-Kolhapuri Row: We deserve acknowledgment
In a special conversation with India today, Sunil Sethi, president of the Fashion Design Council of India, shared his views on the Prada-Kolhapuri controversy.
“India is a global taste of the season,” Fashion Design Council of India President Sunil Sethi said proudly Today India About the ongoing Prada-Kolhapuri debate.
During the Paris Fashion Week, the Italian fashion giant presented a collection without any acknowledgment of its roots – but a GI -tagged Indian footwear craft – a GI -tagged Indian footwear craft. This craft remains a timeless style head in India, in Maharashtra and Karnataka, hundreds of years ago and both modern and traditional fashion enthusiasts. In the show, Prada labeled him as a ‘leather sandal’.
Prada’s move was opposite to Louis Wuiton, who celebrated India in more than one way in his show in Paris, making our country a real showstopper. After a major online ruckus and a formal elbow from Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (McCia), Prada finally gave Kolhapuris because of him.
A spokesperson of Prada eventually said, “We admit that the recent sandals painted at the 2026 fashion show of the 2026 are inspired by traditional Indian handicraft shoes, with a centuries -old heritage. We identify the cultural significance of such Indian craftsmanship.”
Nevertheless, along with famous celebrities, the fashion world also continues on the Prada-Kolhapuri line. Kareena Kapoor Khan and Nina Gupta recently cheered on Prada with their Instagram post.
As it moves forward, Sethi told Today India In this season, everyone is taking inspiration from Indian crafts and culture. The Chairman of the FDCI said, “We want it to be continued, but we deserve acknowledgment.”
“I am not saying that this is an important IP violation, but I believe we deserve acceptance. If someone says, ‘Yes, we were inspired by India or Kolhapuris,’ It is quite good for me. And Prada has accepted it. So, in a way, a way, this dispute has really paid more attention to Kolhapuris,” said Sathi.
“They are now more widely known,” they said.
Meanwhile, several reports suggest that Prada will hold a meeting on 11 July through video conferencing with MacCia and office-supporters of artisans. The luxury brand is expected to discuss a possible cooperation with the Kolhapuri artisans to detect the possibilities of taking Kolhapuri chappals to the global market.
For Sunil Sethi, he announced the 18th edition of Hyundai India Couture Week in New Delhi at a press conference held in the capital on Monday. The much awaited fashion extravaganza will begin on July 23 and will feature 14 major Indian designers including Tarun Tahiliani, Ritu Kumar, Rimzim Dadu and Manish Malhotra.
The epinem label of late designer Rohit hair will also be a part of the reputed fashion week.
