It’s been an unexpectedly action-packed month for Prada, after the Italian luxury brand unveiled its open-toe leather sandals, exact dupes of the famous Kolhapuri chappals. What followed was a wave of mass trolling that ultimately led the brand to admit the footwear was inspired by India’s GI-tagged Kolhapuris.As thousands of local artisans who handcraft traditional leather footwear mounted a collective backlash against the luxury label for copying without credit, they achieved a small but significant win. But it seems Prada hasn’t learned its lesson because history appears to be repeating itself. The brand has now released a pair of brown-hued heels that bear an uncanny resemblance to Indian juttis, sparking fresh ‘copycat’ callouts.
(Image Credits: Prada’s official website)
A quick look at Prada’s website shows these heels listed as ‘antiqued leather pumps’ but their design is strikingly similar to Punjabi juttis. For context, a jutti is an ethnic Indian leather shoe, mainly worn in North India, known for its closed upper and easy comfort.Though Punjabi juttis haven’t received a GI tag, they’ve been a part of Indian culture for centuries. It’s even said that Maharaja Ranjit Singh, founder of the Sikh Empire, wore juttis adorned with studded stones and intricate royal embroidery.
This footwear carries such a rich legacy that it absolutely deserves global recognition, even if someone tweaks the silhouette and calls it a heel. Prada must realise that inspiration is one thing, but using cultural designs without giving credit is another. Perhaps it’s time the luxury label invested in a better PR team or at the very least, a more original design team.
(Image Credits: Instagram)
While Prada describes the design as ‘original and unconventional,’ many can’t help but notice how closely it mirrors Indian juttis. Once again, it seems a global brand is quietly borrowing from Indian traditions without acknowledgement.With the release of these jutti-inspired heels, one thing is clear: Indian artisans are tired of being overlooked. And it’s high time the world started giving credit where it’s long overdue.
