The resemblance caught the attention of Indian social media users and artisan communities, prompting criticism and raising questions over intellectual property rights. A Public Interest Litigation was filed in the Bombay High Court in response, alleging that Prada’s design infringed upon the GI protection of the Kolhapuri chappals
A Public Interest Litigation was filed in the Bombay High Court in response, alleging that Prada’s design infringed upon the GI protection of the Kolhapuri chappals. Representational Pic
The iconic Kolhapuri chappal, a traditional handcrafted leather sandal from Maharashtra and Karnataka, holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, officially registered to two state-run corporations, LIDCOM and LIDKAR. Recently, the footwear was at the centre of controversy after Italian luxury fashion brand Prada showcased a design that closely resembled the chappal during its Spring/Summer 2026 men’s collection.
In June 2025, Italian fashion house Prada showcased its Spring/Summer 2026 men’s collection, where a pair of leather sandals worn by a model drew attention for resembling Maharashtra’s GI-tagged Kolhapuri chappals. The lookalike design sparked outrage on social media and among traditional artisan communities.
The resemblance caught the attention of Indian social media users and artisan communities, prompting criticism and raising questions over intellectual property rights. A Public Interest Litigation was filed in the Bombay High Court in response, alleging that Prada’s design infringed upon the GI protection of the Kolhapuri chappals. However, the court dismissed the PIL on July 16, clarifying that only the GI holders, LIDCOM and LIDKAR, have the legal standing to pursue such matters.
Following the incident, a group of lawyers filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court, alleging that Prada’s use of a design protected under GI registration constituted a violation of intellectual property laws. On July 16, the court dismissed the PIL, stating that in such matters, only the registered GI holders, namely, the leather industry development corporations of Maharashtra and Karnataka, are the legitimate stakeholders and hence, solely entitled to initiate any civil legal proceedings.
Against this backdrop, LIDCOM and LIDKAR have jointly reaffirmed their position as the officially registered global GI holders of the Kolhapuri chappal. In their joint statement, the corporations clarified that no individual or organisation other than themselves is authorised to engage in any discussion, negotiation, or representation with Prada or similar international entities.
The legacy of Kolhapuri chappals dates back to the 12th-century saint tradition and is closely associated with the progressive reforms of Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj in the 20th century. LIDCOM Managing Director Prerna Deshbhratar and LIDKAR Managing Director K.M. Vasundhara, through an official press release, emphasised that their collective mission goes beyond protecting the geographical indication. It is also aimed at safeguarding the rights of thousands of local leather artisans and firmly establishing this heritage on national and international platforms.
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