India’s influence of the fashion industry is undeniable. They are one of the largest leaders in the fashion industry and has been the talk of inspiration for many designers. Some include Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Nike, where parts of their collections were influenced by Indian culture, mixed with a modern twist.
Prada’s Scandal
Prada showcased its 2026 Spring/Summer Menswear collection in Milan, designed by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons. Although, their collection caused a lot of noise, but not for the right reasons.
Several models walked down the runway in T-strap sandals that looked very familiar to many Indians on social media. The Kolhapuri chappal is a handcrafted leather sandal. It originates from the city of Kolhapur, India, renowned for its intricate artistry and skilled craftsmanship. The Prada sandals were reminiscent of the Kolhapuri chappal, a symbol of India’s rich cultural heritage. However, no credit was given to India.
The lack of credit led to outrage among many Indians, who demanded recognition for their cultural influence that was evident throughout their collection. Notably, Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan expressed her feelings on her Instagram story, stating, “Sorry not Prada…..but my OG Kolhapuri.” In the background, she shows off her original Kolhapuri. Neena Gupta (Bollywood actress) shares a touching video on her Instagram where she shares that Indian actor Laxmikant Berde gifted her a Kolhapuri chappal. Gupta expresses that “these are the most beautiful chappals.. [she has] ever had. Most beautiful and handmade.” These chappals were not just wearable art, but a piece of memory that will last a lifetime.
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The Outcome
According to the New York Times, author Anupreeta Das explains that the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture wrote a letter to Prada. The fashion house responded with an apology, acknowledging that the sandals were inspired by the Kolhapuri chappal and were made in Maharashtra and Karnataka, India. However, Prada claimed that the collection is still being developed and has not made any decisions to produce or commercialize any of its pieces.
Das and intellectual property lawyer, Subhang Nair, continues to explain that Prada legally can sell their Kolhapuri inspired sandals at any given markup they choose, as long as the items were sourced within the eight districts in Maharashtra and Karnataka who have a geographical indication tag, which pinpoints a product to belong to a particular region. Prada must also highlight the artisans to sell the sandals.
In school, students are encouraged to cite their sources if and when they draw inspiration from other works. This same principle should be applied to the fashion industry. The fashion industry is filled with creative and innovative individuals, and credit must be given when it is due.
Louis Vuitton Brings India to the Runway
Creative director Pharrell Williams unveiled Louis Vuitton’s Spring/Summer 2026 menswear collection in Paris, where models strutted down the runway that seemed to be displayed as a snake-and-ladders game board, according to Louis Vuitton, who collaborated with Studio Mumbai. The game is known to have originated in India.
Louis Vuitton explains that their collection is inspired by travel, from Paris to India. The collection features sartorial elements that take inspiration from Indian tailored looks with a contemporary, modern twist.
WWD explains that Williams derived inspiration from the rich colors of India after traveling there, and even visited local markets and suppliers, including printmaking workshops and embroiderers.
The collection was a mix of tailoring and sportswear, featuring pinstripes and check-printed looks. Colors included various shades of grey, blue, brown, and green, resembling the colors of the streets of India. What stood out the most was the jeweled accents throughout the collection, from the hood on a lime green puffer jacket to the travel bags.
The collection painted a picture of not only India’s influence on global fashion, but Williams’ experience when traveling to India with subtle details that told a larger story of India’s lifestyle, heritage, and history.
Nike Brings Craftsmanship to Athleisure Wear
Nike and the Indian rooted brand NorBlack NorWhite collaborated to create a collection that combines traditional Indian techniques with a contemporary twist in athleisure wear.
According to Nike, the collection was released on June 11th and utilizes an Indian tie-dye technique called bandhani. The collection consists of tops, bras, shorts, a tight, four styles of footwear, and a cross-body bag.
The collection highlights India’s craftsmanship while utilizing Nike’s platform to connect a new audience to Indian heritage. The campaign depicts wrestler Anshu Malik, sprinter Priya Mohan, and cricketers Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma modeling the collection.
The collection was designed in India, deeply rooted in India’s craftsmanship. It was designed to empower women, making them feel confident and look fabulous while being active. The campaign is breaking down barriers while emphasizing that women are making significant inroads into the stereotypical male-dominated sports market.
Inspiration
Inspiration abounds in India, from the colors, culture, techniques, and rich history that many designers weave into their collections, creating beautiful, intricate pieces of wearable art. As more designers continue to draw inspiration from India’s rich roots, India’s influence on the fashion industry becomes more visible.
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