MUMBAI, July 12: Prada announced on Friday that it is seeking a partnership with makers of traditional Indian "artisanal footwear," following backlash over its recent launch of sandals resembling 12th-century Indian designs.

The Italian luxury brand sparked controversy two weeks ago after unveiling open-toe ethnic sandals during a Milan fashion show, which bore a strong resemblance to Kolhapuri chappals — traditional footwear named after the historic city of Kolhapur in Maharashtra state.

After photos from the show went viral, Indian artisans criticized the brand for not acknowledging the origins of the design. Facing growing pressure, Prada admitted late last month that the sandals were inspired by ancient Indian styles.

The uproar fueled a surge in demand for authentic Indian sandals, with artisans and sellers viewing the controversy as an opportunity to showcase the traditional craft and tap into a wave of national pride.

Prada said it held a virtual meeting on Friday with the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, which represents around 3,000 Kolhapuri sandal artisans, to explore potential collaboration opportunities.

“The next step will be for Prada’s supply chain team to meet with a range of artisanal footwear manufacturers,” the company stated.

The Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce confirmed that Lorenzo Bertelli—head of corporate social responsibility at Prada and son of the company’s owners—participated in the meeting.

During the discussions, Prada reportedly expressed interest in launching a limited-edition, "Made in India" collection of Kolhapuri-inspired sandals in collaboration with Indian artisans.

While India’s luxury market remains relatively small, it is expanding, with wealthy consumers increasingly spending on high-end fashion, luxury cars, and expensive watches.

Prada currently does not operate any retail stores in India, and its products are generally accessible only to affluent Indian shoppers purchasing goods abroad.

The sandal controversy generated days of debate on social media, with critics, artisans, and Indian politicians calling on Prada to give proper credit to India’s rich heritage.