India, June 30 -- During Prada Spring/Summer 2026 menswear showcase in Milan recently, the Italian luxury label sent its models down the runway in T-strapped, braided leather sandals. The show, which was described "as futuristic and conceptual" by co-creative directors Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons irked Indian social media users, who pointed out the striking resemblance to the humble Kolhapuri chappal. For desi fashion enthusiasts, it triggered a familiar debate - that of cultural appropriation versus appreciation. Much like the controversy around the Scandinavian scarf earlier this year, this incident triggered conversation on how fashion houses continue to borrow freely from India and its culture without acknowledgement or credit. A series of meetings with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and protests forced the Italian brand to acknowledge being inspired by 'traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage' for its sandals featured in the recent Men's Spring/Summer 2026 collection, after being slammed for failing to acknowledge the resemblance to India's GI-tagged Kolhapuri chappals. Representatives of Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, which communicated with Prada, said that the brand was likely to send its team to explore any possibility of collaboration on the product in the near future. The business body has also decided to patent the Kolhapuri chappals to avoid any infringement of rights in the future....