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Luxury fashion house Prada is under fire for allegedly replicating the traditional Indian Kolhapuri chappal design in its recent collection, without proper attribution. The controversy reached a new height on Sunday when Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan weighed in with a pointed post on her Instagram.

Kareena Kapoor’s Subtle Swipe at Prada

In her Instagram Story, Kareena Kapoor shared a photo of herself wearing a pair of original Kolhapuri chappals, cropped to only show her feet. She captioned it, “Sorry not Prada…but my OG Kolhapuri,” making her stance on the matter crystal clear. Without naming the brand directly, the actress let her fashion choice and caption speak volumes.

This social media moment comes shortly after Prada showcased a sandal design called "Toe Ring Sandals" during the Men’s Spring/Summer 2026 runway presentation in Milan on June 22. The design drew immediate comparisons to the centuries-old Kolhapuri chappals, traditionally handcrafted in Maharashtra, India.

Adding to the mounting backlash, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Bombay High Court. The petition claims Prada has commercially exploited Indian artisans' designs without acknowledgement or fair compensation. The plea seeks legal recognition and potential restitution for the skilled craftsmen behind Kolhapuri chappals.

Prada Responds to Cultural Appropriation Claims

In response to the uproar, Prada Group’s Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Lorenzo Bertelli, issued a public statement. He acknowledged the brand’s design inspiration and said, “We acknowledge that the sandals featured in the recent Prada Men's 2026 Fashion Show are inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage. We deeply recognise the cultural significance of such Indian craftsmanship.”

Despite this admission, criticism continues to mount—especially over the sandals' price tag of nearly ₹1 lakh, which many feel disrespects the original artisans whose work is sold at a fraction of the cost.

As the debate around cultural appropriation versus cultural appreciation intensifies, Kareena’s subtle dig has amplified the conversation across both fashion and entertainment circles.