Indian Kolhapuri sandals have made it onto the global fashion stage after Prada debuted a leather style at its spring/summer 2026 menswear show.
As one of fashion’s most influential brands, Prada is a deciding force of what we wear every season with looks that often trickle down onto the high street, from 2022’s super mini skirts to its signature loafers. Its spotlight of Kolhapuri chappal sandals will bring the style to a wider audience than ever before, recontextualising them in a luxury space. The brand’s co-creative directors Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons delivered what the designers described as “a contribution with something genuine, nice”, according to WWD. The show was presented at the Deposito at Fondazione Prada in Milan earlier this week.
The leather flat sandals, also known as ‘toe-ring sandals’, are characterised by their T-strap design, vegetable tanned leather and typically constructed using sun-dried buffalo hide. Rooted in a centuries-old tradition across Maharashtra and Karnataka, they’re hand-shaped, stitched and decorated by skilled artisans and can take up to six weeks to create. The first versions of the style were worn in the 13th century, under King Bijjala and his minister Basavanna’s rule. They’re famed for their quality, comfort and intricacy of design. In the 70s, the shoe became adopted by the hippie movement, and in 2019, Kolhapuri sandals were given a Geographical Indication tag, denoting their provenance.
On the Prada catwalk, the sandals were worn with tracksuit bottoms, cropped pastel trousers and tunics. A spokesperson for the brand said today there is a possibility that the style could be introduced for women later this year, although this remains unconfirmed.
The Prada design has attracted much attention from Indian accessory brands, who have commented on the likeness to traditional Kolhapuris. Some have called out the Italian fashion house for not referencing the origin of the style, while others have welcomed the added visibility to a treasured Indian tradition. “Indian craftsmanship has always led with timeless design, but global attention often arrives late and rarely credits where the inspiration truly came from,” said content creator and entrepreneur Masoom Minawala Mehta on Instagram. “The Kolhapuri chappal isn’t just a ‘style moment’. It’s a cultural legacy. It’s handmade. It’s heritage. It’s a craft passed down through generations, perfected by artisans, and preserved by Indian brands who never needed the international stamp of approval to know its worth.”
Regardless of divided opinions on the Prada reimagining, Kolhapuri sandals will reach a bigger demographic than ever before when they do finally land in stores.
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Lead image: Prada
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