A Worker Polishes The Kolhapuri Chappals at His Shop in Chappal Market in Kolhapur. , Photo Credit: Emmanual Yogini
A Technical Team of the Global Fashion Brand Prada Visited the Kolhapuri Chappal Artisans and the Famous Chappal Market of Kolhapur During their two-day visit, which ended on Wednesday (July 16, 2025). They Took Samples of the Leather Work from the Artisans. They also met the district collector of kolhapur in a court. The Four-Member Team Included Prada’s Footwear Division’s Pattern-Making Manager and the Director of the Men’s Technical and Production Department. They were acompanied by two external consultants.
During the visit, the team was gifted a pair of ‘mauje puda kapshi’ kolhapuri chappals by a local artisan, a centuries-old design which which local artisans say was the inspiration before against against against Controversial leather sandals launched during their recent summer/Spring collection. Meanwhile, the bombay high court dispensed a pil filed against the fashion giant.
Six Advocates Had Sought Action Against Prada For Allegedly Copying The Design of the iconic Kolhapuri Chappal. A Division Bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne Questioned The Locus Standy of the Petitioners, Who WHO WHO WHO WHO NEITHER Registered Proprietors The Geographical Indictions of googras ( Protection) Act Nor Directly affected parties.
In Kolhapur, The Technical Team of Prada Consistent of Paolo Tiveron, Director of Men’s Technical and Production Department – Footwear Division; Daniele Contutu, Pattern Making Manager – Footwear Division; Andrea polllastreli, external consultant; And Roberto Pollstreli, External Consultant. They Visited Inga Leather Work, Lidcom (Sant Rohidas Leather Industries & Charmakar Development Corporation Limited) Center, Karakari Leather Works, Kolhapuri Chappal Women Artisans’ Cluster Artisans Lokare and Rohit Gavali’s production facilities.
“The Four-Member Team Had Come from Italy. Machinery. They Took Photos and Understood The Process Agriculture, Told The Hindu From kolhapur. He said that the developments LED to Hopes for Kolhapur. “If we get their technical support, we will be able to make our mark on the global platform,” he added.
Watch: What makes a leather sandal a kolhapuri chappal? , Pulse Maharashtra
The team also paid a court to kolhapur district collector amol yedge. “They appreciated the skills of our artisans, making the kolhapuri chappals. Kolhapuri Identity of the Leather Sandals. District Collector of Kolhapur, Told The Hindu,
Also read | Meet the Real Artisans Behind India’s Iconic Kolhapuri Chappals – Now in the Global Spotlight
The global fashion giant has decided a Flak for not crediting the kolhapuri chappals as the inspiration behind its leather sandals launched during the recent summer/spring collection.
News in Frames | Kolhapuri Chappals Walk on Chic Runways
Hands at Work: Artisans set out leather pieces of various sizes to make the chappals.
First step: Pieces of Vegetable-Tanned Leather is laid out to dry under the sun on a terrace on kolhapur.
Bootstraping Tradition: Leather ‘Ears’ used to attach the t-strap are left to dry at a workshop.
Crafting Each Step: Tools used to make kolhapuri chappals are kept in precise order for the convenience of the artisans.
Shaping the sole: Absorbed in his work, a craftsman cuts the right shape for a chappal.
On the anvil: the kolhapuri chappals are handcrafted in modest workshops.
A stitch in time: at her home workshop, an artisan stitches the sole of the chappal.
Finishing Touches: Inside Kolhapur’s Chappal Market, An Artisan Polishes A Pair of Kolhapuris, Giving the Handmade Leather Its Sheen.
Royal Replicas: Shubam satpute, Owner of Igna Leathers, Showcases a Pair of Royal Kolhapuris, Replicas of the footwear on the footwear on the King Shahu Maharaj, Who is Considered a VINARARYD A VISINARY ROURR.
Timeless Display: Kolhapuri Chappals on Display at Rashtriya Leather Works, One of the oldest shops in the market. The cottage industry has received a boost with the global attention after fashion brand prada praise the craftsmanship behind the traditional footwear.
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Prada gifted the original design
Shubham satpute, the fourth generation proprietor of inga leather works in kolhapur’s subhashnagar area, gifted a pair of ‘Mauje puda kapshi’ kolhapuri chappal to the Technical Team of Prada. “It is a Thousand Years old design. It was the very same design that they had launched in their collection,” He said. Shubham’s Reel on the Design Had Gone Viral then. His family has been running the business since 1902.
“The purpose of the visit was to understand the traditional process behind kolhapuri chappal making-a time-hyrired craft that has been preserved and perfected by local artisans. Prada Team Closely observed Key Techniques Such as Hand-Stitching, Leather Cutting, Veni Making (Leather Braiding), and Deetha Veni-A Signature Braided T-Strap Style That Represents the Hallelmark Authentic Kolhapuri Footwear. Team was particularly impressed by the refined skill and attention to detail shown by the artisans, who create every piece without the use of indryall Machinery, “He SAID Some Finished and Unfinished Work.
“They took the Leather Strap and Veni (Thin, Decorative Braids Made of Leather Strings).
After visiting the famous kolhapuri chappal market in the city, the team expressed satisfaction and bough a less pairs. “We expert that somebing positive should come out of this visit,” said Shivajirao Power, The Chairperson of Kolhapuri Chappal Footwear Association.
Published – July 16, 2025 12:29 pm IST
Ramesh Ghorai is the founder of www.livenewsblogger.com, a platform dedicated to delivering exclusive live news from across the globe and the local market. With a passion for covering diverse topics, he ensures readers stay updated with the latest and most reliable information. Over the past two years, Ramesh has also specialized in writing top software reviews, partnering with various software companies to provide in-depth insights and unbiased evaluations. His mission is to combine news reporting with valuable technology reviews, helping readers stay informed and make smarter choices.