Last night, Prada unveiled its spring/summer 2026 men’s collection in Milan and gave people yet another thing to be mad about. On the runway were a slew of Kolhapuri chappals—yes, the flat leather sandals originating in Maharashtra, handmade by artisans, usually sold in bazaars or by street vendors, worn by grandfathers, politicians, and aunties alike. They weren’t styled with jeans or flowing cotton kurtas but paired with micro-shorts that veered into bloomer territory—boxy, billowing, and provocatively school-uniform-coded. The juxtaposition was deliberate: a sandal rooted in heritage, worn with shorts so tiny they felt like a dare (very Prada).
Was it appropriation? I haven’t read the show notes to see if the makers were credited (if anyone has a copy—please send it over!) Or was it just Prada being Prada—intellectualizing the mundane, giving the pedestrian a platform? Either way, the chappal has officially made it onto the runway and ruffled feathers online. They’re likely to go for over €1000. It would be interesting to see if Prada worked with Indian artisans to create these shoes and how they were remunerated. We need more details.
Is Prada trying to tap into the ever-growing Indian wedding market? Will grooms, groomsmen, and men attending Indian weddings bite the bait? Have we recovered from Scandi scarf-gate? I personally didn’t think it was as controversial as people made it out to be, but the skirt, top, and scarf combo seemed to push a lot of buttons. While we think about that, below, things you may have missed on The Nod.
