Prada in Hong Kong spotlight after Indian Kolhapuri 'sandal scandal'

(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Prada acknowledges the "paternity" of the traditional Indian Kolhapuri sandals and local artisans are banking on fame to improve sales. Meanwhile, Prada shares in Hong Kong closed up 1.03% at 49.20 Hong Kong dollars. Prada presented a model of sandal very similar to the Kolhapuri sandals , which take their name from a historic city in the state of Maharashtra, in a men's fashion show.

After the photos of the show were released, as Reuters writes, the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce accused the fashion company of copying the design of the sandals without acknowledging their attribution to the traditions of local artisans and criticism on social media went viral. The "sandal scandal" led Prada to recognize the originality of the traditional Indian product and to say that it will organize meetings with the artisans.

In a statement to Reuters on Tuesday, Prada also said it plans to produce the sandals in India, in partnership with local manufacturers, if it decides to commercialize them. Prada does not have any physical stores in India , the agency said, and its products are generally reserved for the super-rich — men’s leather sandals start at $844, while Kolhapuri sandals can cost as little as $12. The sandals are handmade in small workshops and are typically paired with traditional Indian clothing. In 2021, Reuters said, the Indian government said the sandals could reach $1 billion a year in exports.