Prada, Kolhapuri Chappals, and the Power of Digital Product Passports

The Controversy: Luxury Meets Tradition, But Where’s the Credit?

In June 2025, Prada made waves at their Spring/Summer 2026 menswear show in Milan by featuring sandals strikingly similar to India’s iconic Kolhapuri chappals—handcrafted leather footwear with a heritage that dates back centuries in the Kolhapur region of Maharashtra and Karnataka. The footwear, traditionally made by skilled artisans using time-honored techniques, is not only a symbol of cultural identity but also a source of livelihood for thousands of families. However, when Prada’s models walked the runway, the sandals were labeled simply as “leather sandals,” with no mention of their Indian origins, sparking a global debate on cultural appropriation and the ethics of luxury fashion.

The backlash was swift: Indian officials, artisans, and the public called for recognition and fair compensation, while legal bodies examined the implications of the Geographical Indication (GI) tag granted to Kolhapuri chappals in 2019. In response, Prada acknowledged the inspiration and dispatched a team to Kolhapur to engage directly with local craftsmen, signaling a commitment to “responsible design practices” and “cultural engagement”. Yet, the episode highlighted a persistent problem: luxury brands often draw from global craftsmanship without ensuring visibility, respect, or economic benefit for the original creators.

The Storytelling Opportunity: Digital Product Passports

Imagine if each pair of Prada’s Kolhapuri-inspired sandals came with a Digital Product Passport (DPP)—a dynamic, scannable record that traces the product’s journey from artisan workshop to global runway. Under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation of the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan, DPPs are set to become a requirement for sustainable products, offering transparency, traceability, and a platform for authentic storytelling.

With a DPP, Prada could:

• Embed the Rich History: Share the centuries-old tradition of Kolhapuri chappal-making, the cultural significance of the craft, and the region’s heritage—all accessible with a simple scan.

• Credit the Artisans: Feature the names, stories, and faces of the craftsmen and women behind each pair, celebrating their expertise and ensuring their work is recognized on a global stage.

• Showcase the Making Process: Offer video clips, images, and narratives detailing the meticulous handcrafting process—from selecting leather to the final stitch—enhancing the product’s luxury appeal through authenticity and rarity.

• Highlight Sustainability: Document the eco-friendly practices, local materials, and the social impact of supporting artisan communities.

This approach does more than tick a regulatory box: it transforms each product into a narrative of craftsmanship, sustainability, and shared cultural value. For consumers, it offers proof of ethical sourcing and a deeper emotional connection to the item; for brands, it’s a chance to redefine luxury as rooted in heritage and responsibility.

Luxury Reimagined: Handcrafted Heritage as the Ultimate Status Symbol

In an era where consumers increasingly value transparency and authenticity, the true mark of luxury may no longer be a logo, but the story behind the product. By leveraging DPPs, brands like Prada can elevate their offerings—assuring customers that their purchase supports generations of craft, respects cultural origins, and contributes to a more equitable and circular economy.

For artisans, this visibility can open new markets and opportunities; for brands, it’s a chance to lead with ethics without sacrificing desirability.

Ready to empower your products with heritage, transparency, and trust? Discover how TrataTech’s Digital Product Passport platform can transform your brand’s sustainability narrative at TrataTech.