Catwalk Scandal: Prada’s Kolhapuri Controversy
Prada’s Milan Fashion Week show sparked a global debate on cultural appropriation, raising questions about power, respect, and the true cost of “luxury.” Ready to dive deeper? Read on for the full story, discussion prompts, and commentary to guide the conversation with the students!
Welcome to our blog! It will be a space for inspiration, real-life examples and commentaries that you can use as short discussion activities during lessons. You can also make it a feature in your school newspaper and start a silent discussion around the topic. So let's start with a recent Art-related case.
Case study
On June 22nd, 2025 at Milan Fashion Week, Prada showcased a leather sandal similar to India’s GI-tagged Kolhapuri chappals, but in its show notes, it was described as “leather flat sandals,” with no acknowledgement to the traditional craft with a characteristic toe loop. The Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce made a complaint on behalf of artisan communities, and Prada’s head, Lorenzo Bertelli, later admitted the design was “inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear” (Guardian) and opened talks on fair compensation and collaboration. The situation sparked backlash and discussions about cultural appropriation in India (New York Times, BBC).
Discussion questions:
- How do power dynamics influence whose knowledge is acknowledged?
- Under what conditions can borrowing elements from another culture be seen as respectful knowledge exchange rather than exploitative cultural appropriation?
Commentary:
Big brands hold economic power. Sometimes, they “borrow” designs or cultural elements without crediting intellectual and artistic ownership. Often, they count on noone saying anything or that smaller, weaker cultures can be silenced. What is also essential is that labelling a craft “luxury” elevates its market value but risks divorcing it from its social or cultural context, making it an accessory rather than an object of cultural importance. Respectful exchange happens when cultural elements are shared with permission, proper credit, and genuine collaboration, acknowledging their origins and the people behind them. When there is an imbalance of power, it may lead to exploitation.
You can read more about Cultural appropriation in our Student Handbook.