Prada Shoes Draw New Attention for Resemblance to Indian Footwear

Weeks after making headlines for sandals inspired by Kolhapuri chappals, Prada released a new pair of shoes that resemble the traditional Punjabi jutti.

The newly released shoe, marketed by Prada as part of its fall collection and priced at $1,450, caught the attention of Indian fashion circles for what many saw as a familiar form repackaged. The resemblance to the Punjabi jutti — a centuries-old North Indian slip-on — was quickly flagged on social media.

While Prada describes the design as “original and unconventional,” Indian fashion watchers recognized the hallmark features: pointed closed toes, minimal seams, slip-on construction and a muted palette more typical of traditional styles.

Punjabi juttis, traditionally crafted from leather and adorned with regional embroidery, are worn at weddings, harvest festivals and religious ceremonies across India, with less embellished pairs used for everyday wear. Juttis don’t carry a formal GI tag like Kolhapuris, but their roots run deep — from the old markets of Kasur, now in Pakistan, to the royal courts of Patiala. Styles like the tilla jutti, embroidered in gold thread, were worn by both Mughal and Sikh nobility.

Contemporary juttis, by contrast, often lean bright, with bold patterns, vibrant colors and intricate embellishments.

The release follows closely on the heels of Prada’s Kolhapuri sandal controversy, which saw the brand issue a public statement and send delegates to Kolhapur for meetings with Maharashtra-based artisans. Now, Prada has made subtle edits on its promotional material, such as adding “inspired by Indian artisanship” to Instagram captions.