Kolhapuri chappals, the OG of Indian footwear, have been doing their thing for literally centuries, adding chill vibes to every kurta-pajama and even those work-from-home looks. But this chill was rudely interrupted when Prada tried to rebirth them as ‘designer sandals’ (with designer prices, of course). The internet went from WTF to LOL to full-on andolan. And then, Neena Gupta walked in with a clapback that was chef’s kiss. Chalo, deep dive karte hain is fashion ka kissa.
1. So, Here’s What Actually Went Down
Prada, high fashion’s favorite boss baby, dropped a new sandal at Milan Fashion Week that legit looked like it took a direct rickshaw from Kolhapur to Italy. And then, hold your breath, priced it at an eye-watering ₹1.2 lakh! For context, real Kolhapuris can be found for ₹300. The desi internet did not take this lying down; timelines were flooded with memes, outrage, and questions about why Milan is trying to rebrand our nani’s chappal as luxury.
Image courtesy: IndiaMART
2. Neena Gupta’s Epic Clapback
Enter Neena Gupta, the internet’s favorite cool mom. She posted a pic of herself in actual handmade Kolhapuris with the caption ‘Real Toh Real Hota Hai.’ Mic drop, Prada. It was the kind of subtle savagery that’s both fashion-forward and asli AF. Within hours, her Instagram post was being shared everywhere, with comments like ‘Queen behaviour!’ and ‘Support local, not LOL-cal.’ Neena’s shoutout wasn’t just about chappals, it spotlighted the artisans and their centuries-old craft. Shaabaash, Neena ji!
Image courtesy: MoneyControl
3. The Bigger Picture: Cultural Appropriation in Fashion
Let’s not pretend this is a one-off – luxury brands looting desi closets is a time-pass for them. Remember when Dior ‘discovered’ juttis? Or Marc Jacobs did ‘boho bindis’? The issue isn’t just funny; it’s actually sad for the lakhs of Indian artisans whose crafts get repackaged and resold without any credit or cash flow back. This isn’t inspiration, it’s what we call ‘designer jugaad’ at its most shameless. People are now taking legal action, and conversations on ethical fashion are finally heating up, because if it’s “inspired by India,” then India better get its due!
Image courtesy: Prada
Conclusion: Own Your Roots, Not Just Your Drip
Neena Gupta’s jhakaas move isn’t just a footwear flex, it’s a whole woke movement in one Insta story. It’s a wake-up call to support our homegrown talents and not let anyone get away with selling our sanskaari swag as exotic imports. So, next time you rock your Kolhapuris, remember: you’re not just serving a look, you’re part of a legacy.