PIL in Bombay HC Seeks Action Against Prada for Alleged Misuse of Kolhapuri Chappal Design
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Bombay High Court against Italian luxury fashion house Prada, alleging unauthorised commercialisation and cultural misappropriation of the Kolhapuri Chappal, a traditional Indian footwear protected as a Geographical Indication (GI) under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
The PIL, filed by Intellectual Property Rights advocate Ganesh S Hingemire on July 2, 2025, claims that Prada’s recently unveiled Spring/Summer 2026 collection features ‘toe ring sandals’ that are “stylistically and culturally derived” from the GI-tagged Kolhapuri Chappal. The design, showcased at a fashion event in Milan on June 22, 2025, is reportedly being sold for over ₹1 lakh per pair.
According to the petition, “The matter concerns the misrepresentation, cultural misappropriation, [and] unauthorised commercialisation [of the] ‘Kolhapuri Chappal’... where its genuine origin, traditional custodianship and GI status were entirely overlooked.”
While Prada has acknowledged that its collection was “inspired by Indian artisans,” the petition asserts that the admission came only after widespread backlash on social media and was made privately rather than through any official communication to the artisans, the GI Registry, or the Government of India. “The brand has not yet issued any formal apology along with any damages, compensation and entitled remedy and the statement appears to be merely a superficial attempt to deflect criticism,” the PIL states.
The petition urges the court to issue directions for an injunction, public apology, and compensation to the affected artisan community, particularly in Maharashtra. It also calls on government authorities to enforce GI protections more robustly and establish stricter mechanisms to prevent misuse of traditional Indian designs by international brands.
“The Kolhapuri Chappal is the cultural symbol of Maharashtra and [has] special public sentiments attached with it,” the PIL emphasises. It further seeks to safeguard the cultural heritage, economic interests, and intellectual property rights of indigenous artisans and ensure recognition and redressal for unauthorised exploitation of GI products on global platforms.