A kurta, linen pants, and Kolhapuris. Or, a breezy kurta, pants, jhumkas, bindi, and Kolhapuris. Everyone has at least once styled their outfits with Kolhapuris. From day-to-day events to festive wear, from summer shaadi to college fests or a Goa trip, chances are your feet have been blessed by these hand-stitched made-to-last leather legends.
Kolhapuris have undoubtedly, been the star of Indian fashion for generations. They aren’t just chappals, they’re a vibe, a lifestyle, and a lowkey cultural inheritance that has caused big headlines this week.
These humble Kolhapuris just got their biggest makeover yet — the Prada Men’s SS 26 collection. Prada showcased a pair of toe-ringed sandals that look eerily similar to the beloved Kolhapuri chappal. Known as Prada Handcrafted Leather Thong Sandals, these have the classic features of a Kolhapuri — flat and tan leather, open-back silhouette, and the distinct ‘T-strap’ form. What’s more? They are selling it for over one lakh rupees.
While the internet debates this footwear’s appearance on an international runway and questions if this was a tribute or a trendjack, let’s dive into the history and evolution of this footwear that has now become iconic not just for Indians but people across the globe (we can smell international celebrities making it their go-to footwear). As the centuries-old Indian craft walks into the international fashion chat, it’s only fair that we give it the credit it deserves.
