'India Will Get Due Credit': Piyush Goyal On Prada Using Kolhapuris As Inspiration

Last Updated:July 26, 2025, 16:24 IST

Piyush Goyal said the Commerce Ministry ensured India gets credit for the Prada Kolhapuri chappal design. Prada acknowledged the Indian inspiration after criticism.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. (File Photo)

Union Minister of Trade and Industry, Piyush Goyal reacted to the ongoing Prada Kolhapuri chappal row. He told reporters that after the recently signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United Kingdom, India will get due credit for its design. In June 2025, Italian luxury brand Prada unveiled its Spring/Summer 2026 menswear collection featuring open-toe leather sandals.

Furthermore, the Union minister also said Kolhapuris are India’s GI product and when its design was used by a global brand, the Commerce Ministry took immediate action.

“… When a global brand used the design of our Kolhapuri chappals, Commerce Ministry immediately took action on it. Going forward, when the Kolhapuri chappal is exported, India will get the due credit for its design. It is India’s GI product," Goyal said.

He also added that several global brands are willing to collaborate with Indian markets and take our products to the global audience. “Many global brands are expressing their desire to associate their names with India’s products and sell them in global markets. The Kolhapuri Chappal can have a business of Rs 8000-10000 crores in the international market," Goyal was quoted by ANI as saying.

Prada had described the footwear as “leather sandals," with no reference to an Indian connection. Upon criticism, Prada recognised and validated Kolhpauris‘ Indian connection, saying the design is “inspired" by the Indian handcrafted footwear.

Artisans from Maharashtra criticised Prada’s move and alleged violation of geographical identification (GI) rights. Following the outrage, Prada accepted the Indian inspiration, but also mentioned that “the sandals featured in the men’s 2026 fashion show are still at the design stage and none of the pieces worn by models on the ramp are confirmed to be commercialised," reported PTI.

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