Prada’s ‘jutti-inspired’ heels spark a new cultural appropriation row

Italian luxury brand faces second wave of cultural appropriation criticism, this time over another traditional Indian footwear

by e4m Staff
Published: Jul 29, 2025 11:28 AM | 2 min read

Prada's most recent shoe release is attracting many eyes but for all the wrong reasons. The high-heeled pump that the Italian fashion business just unveiled looks more like a contemporary reimagining of the Indian jutti than a luxury creation.

The shoes, which Prada is referring to as "Antiqued Leather Pumps" have raw-cut edges, visible stitching, and a general silhouette that anyone who has visited an Indian bazaar will recognize. The shoes have drawn a lot of criticism for supposedly copying Indian craftsmanship that dates back hundreds of years.

The design's striking resemblance to the traditional footwear worn in areas like Punjab and Rajasthan has drawn criticism from social media users, cultural commentators, and even Amritsar-based jutti makers. The exposed stitching and raw-cut leather borders strongly evoke the distinctive qualities of the handcrafted jutti, even if Prada added a contemporary heel.

It's not the first time either. Prada displayed sandals that had a striking resemblance to Kolhapuris a few months ago. Followed by public outrage for that case, a lawsuit was filed in India, and Prada promised to work with regional craftspeople. While people were hoping that it would result in cooperation but we're back in the same loop instead.

But the frequency of these occurrences has sparked grave worries about the fashion industry's tendency to plunder various cultural traditions without providing due recognition or remuneration. Juttis are more susceptible to uncredited appropriation because they do not have the legal protection that Kolhapuris do, which is provided by a GI tag.