When a Milan runway becomes the unlikely stage for Kolhapur’s traditional leather sandals, it reveals more than just a fleeting fashion statement ~ it exposes the paradox at the heart of how India values its own craftsmanship. For generations, artisans in Kolhapur, many from Dalit communities, have quietly sustained an 800-year-old tradition of making Kolhapuri chappals ~ durable, beautifully braided, and completely handmade. These sandals were never meant for the catwalk. They were built for everyday life, molded by weather, faith, and the rhythm of small-town streets. But like many crafts rooted in caste-based labour, they suffered from indifference, if not outright neglect. Their makers remained invisible, and their work underpaid and underacknowledged.

Then came Prada’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection, showcasing a sandal unmistakably similar to the Kolhapuri. The brand offered no initial credit. Yet ironically, it was this act........

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