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Italian luxury fashion brand Prada said its new sandal line has Indian 'roots' - days after the design sparked a controversy in India, according to the BBC.
The sandals, presented at Milan Fashion Week last week, had a woven pattern with an open toe that closely resembled traditional "Kolhapuri" sandals - made in the Indian states of Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Prada described the sandals as "leather sandals" but did not mention their Indian origins, sparking backlash and accusations of cultural appropriation in India.
Responding to the controversy, Prada said in a statement that it was inspired by traditional Indian designs to create the sandals.
A Prada spokesperson said the fashion company had always valued the traditions of craftsmanship, heritage and design - adding that it was in touch with the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture - the industry's preeminent trade body in the state.
Last week, her boss wrote to the brand, saying the design had been commercialized without giving credit to the artisans – who had preserved its heritage for generations.
Lorenzo Bertelli, head of Prada's Corporate Social Responsibility, responded to his letter by saying that the sandals were in an early design stage.
He also said that Prada was open to a dialogue with local Indian artisans and that the company would organize follow-up meetings to discuss this further.
Kolhapuri sandals date back to the 12th century. Made of leather and sometimes dyed with natural dyes, the traditional handmade sandals are sturdy and well-suited to India's hot climate.
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