Dr Vidhu Sekhar P
Luxury fashion brand Prada’s recent interest in Kolhapuri chappals has brought them into the global spotlight. This is a chance for Indian artisans and businesses to showcase their traditional footwear to the world. By staying true to our roots and focusing on sustainable practices, we can make Kolhapuri chappals a popular and unique global brand.
Kolhapuri chappals have been an integral part of Indian culture for centuries, with artisans in Maharashtra and Karnataka perfecting the craft of making these handmade sandals. The controversy surrounding Prada’s use of Kolhapuri chappal designs without proper acknowledgment has sparked a conversation about cultural appropriation and the importance of giving credit to the artisans who create these iconic sandals.
To capitalize on the renewed interest in Kolhapuri chappals, businesses can adopt a triple-bottom-line approach by integrating sustainable practices, fair trade principles, and cultural sensitivity. This can be achieved by utilizing eco-friendly materials like vegetable-tanned leather and natural dyes, ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions for artisans, and acknowledging the rich cultural heritage of Kolhapuri chappals while giving due credit to the skilled artisans who craft them, ultimately promoting social responsibility and community development.
By infusing modern designs and technology into traditional Kolhapuri chappals, businesses can expand their appeal to a broader audience and boost demand. This can be achieved through bespoke designs and customization options that cater to individual tastes, as well as leveraging technology to enable customers to design their own footwear, creating a unique and personalized experience. Additionally, incorporating modern silhouettes and designs into traditional Kolhapuri chappal styles can make them more attractive to a global audience, blending heritage with contemporary flair. By working directly with artisans and providing them with fair wages and working conditions, businesses can empower them to continue practicing their craft. This approach can help preserve traditional skills and promote community development.
The Prada controversy has brought Kolhapuri chappals into the global spotlight, presenting an opportunity for artisans and businesses to capitalize on this renewed interest. Acknowledging the cultural heritage of Kolhapuri chappals and giving credit to artisans is crucial for promoting social responsibility and community development.
Rather than engaging with brands that appropriate our cultural heritage, Kolhapuri artisans can focus on showcasing the beauty and richness of Indian wisdom and Sanskriti through our own products and practices. By embracing our cultural roots and values, we can create a unique brand identity that stands out in the global market.
By rising above the noise of cultural appropriation and focusing on our own strengths, artisans can demonstrate the resilience and power of Indian culture. Our commitment to quality, sustainability, and community will ultimately speak louder than any attempts to appropriate or undermine our heritage. (Author is an Assistant Professor at National Institute of Fashion Technology, Ministry of Textiles, Govt of India)
