Prada's Kolhapuri sandals in India

So, Prada is selling what are essentially Kolhapuri chappals for ₹1.2 lakh a pair. Few know this: a large number of the artisans who make these iconic chappals actually live in Karnataka, in Athani, Nippani, Chikkodi, Raibag and other parts of Belagavi, Bagalkot and Dharwad.

We must identify more such 'cultural entrepreneurship' to capture the global appeal before any lost opportunities. www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/artisans-making-iconic-kolhapuri-chappals-should-not-be-sidelined-minister-priyank-kharge-101751257650746.html

Sandal Scandal. A new Prada design sparks a furore among Indian artisans and politicians, thousands of miles from the Milan catwalk. After heavy criticism, Lorenzo Bertelli, son of Prada’s owners, acknowledges the Indian roots of its sandals tinyurl.com/9km9kfrp

The sandals, showcased by Prada at the Milan Fashion Week last week, had an open-toe braided pattern that closely resembled the traditional Kolhapuri sandals made in the Indian states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj4e24n20wwo