The Indian city of Kolhapur has been visiting the Indian city of Kolhapur in four -member team of experts at the Italian luxury fashion brand Prada. The aim of the two-day stay is the direct exchange with local artisans: inside, which are known for the production of the traditional Kolhapuri-CHAPPAL-handmade leather sandals with centuries-old tradition.
The visit follows a public controversy. Prada recently presented models at a fashion show in Milan who had strong similarities to the Kolhapuri-Cappal, without initially appreciating their cultural origin. The now initiated encounter with the artisans: inside indicates a rethink and possible future cooperation.
The team under the direction of Paolo Tiveron, director of the technical and production department (men’s shoe department) at Prada, first visited the houses of local craftsmen: inside, in which many of them also operate their workshops. This was followed by a tour of several production facilities in the nearby industrial area.
The technical team also includes Daniele Contu, pattern manager of the shoe department, as well as the external consultants Andrea and Roberto Pollastrelli. The delegation on site was supported by Bhupal Shete, a local producer and director of the Kolhapuri-Chappal cluster.
The visit was made possible by the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (Maccia). Their President Lalit Gandhi confirmed that Prada was interested in strategic cooperation with local supply chains and artisans as part of a previous meeting. In the first week of August, another team from Prada in Kolhapur is expected to focus on the business aspects of a possible cooperation.
At the end of their stay, the technical team was expected to visit the so-called “Chappal Line”-a well-known street with numerous Kolhapuri-Chappal shops near the Mahalaxmi temple-before the return trip to Milan was started.
This article was used with digital tools translated.
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