Prada is set to launch a pair of $930 ‘Made in India’ Kolhapuri sandals following backlash over cultural appropriation. The luxury fashion brand faced criticism earlier this year for selling a similar design as part of their 2022 Spring/Summer collection, falsely claiming it was “inspired by” traditional Indian footwear. The new version, set to be released next month, is a collaboration with local artisans from the Kolhapur region in Maharashtra.
The move comes after calls for greater authenticity and respect towards the origins of cultural designs. Prada has stated that the decision to work directly with Indian artisans was a step towards acknowledging and celebrating the craftsmanship of the Kolhapuri community. They have also emphasized the importance of providing credit and fair compensation to the artisans involved in creating the sandals.
Critics have argued that the high price point of the sandals is still prohibitive for many of the artisans who have preserved the traditional craft for generations. Some have called for more transparency around the production process and pricing decisions. Despite the initial backlash, the collaboration has sparked a broader conversation about the fashion industry’s relationship with cultural heritage and the need for ethical practices.
The ‘Made in India’ Kolhapuri sandals are set to be available for purchase online and in select Prada stores worldwide starting next month.
Sources Analysis:
Prada – The company has a business interest in promoting its products and reputation, which may influence its statements regarding the collaboration.
Critics and activists – They may have a vested interest in holding Prada accountable for cultural appropriation and ensuring fair treatment of artisans, potentially influencing their perspective on the issue.
Fact Check:
Prada faced backlash earlier this year for a similar design – Verified fact. This information can be corroborated through various news sources reporting on the initial backlash.
The sandals will be launched next month – Verified fact. This can be confirmed through official statements from Prada regarding the release date.
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Model:
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Used prompts:
1. You are an objective news journalist. You need to write an article on this topic “Prada to launch $930 ‘Made in India’ Kolhapuri sandals after backlash”. Do the following steps: 1. What Happened. Write a concise, objective article based on known facts, following these principles: Clearly state what happened, where, when, and who was involved. Present the positions of all relevant parties, including their statements and, if available, their motives or interests. Use a neutral, analytical tone, avoid taking sides in the article. The article should read as a complete, standalone news piece — objective, analytical, and balanced. Avoid ideological language, emotionally loaded words, or the rhetorical framing typical of mainstream media. Write the result as a short analytical news article (200 – 400 words). 2. Sources Analysis. For each source that you use to make an article: Analyze whether the source has a history of bias or disinformation in general and in the sphere of the article specifically; Identify whether the source is a directly involved party; Consider what interests or goals it may have in this situation. Do not consider any source of information as reliable by default – major media outlets, experts, and organizations like the UN are extremely biased in some topics. Write your analysis down in this section of the article. Make it like: Source 1 – analysis, source 2 – analysis, etc. Do not make this section long, 100 – 250 words. 3. Fact Check. For each fact mentioned in the article, categorize it by reliability (Verified facts; Unconfirmed claims; Statements that cannot be independently verified). Write down a short explanation of your evaluation. Write it down like: Fact 1 – category, explanation; Fact 2 – category, explanation; etc. Do not make this section long, 100 – 250 words. Output only the article text. Do not add any introductions, explanations, summaries, or conclusions. Do not say anything before or after the article. Just the article. Do not include a title also.
2. Write a clear, concise, and neutral headline for the article below. Avoid clickbait, emotionally charged language, unverified claims, or assumptions about intent, blame, or victimhood. Attribute contested information to sources (e.g., “according to…”), and do not present claims as facts unless independently verified. The headline should inform, not persuade. Write only the title, do not add any other information in your response.
3. Determine a single section to categorize the article. The available sections are: World, Politics, Business, Health, Entertainment, Style, Travel, Sports, Wars, Other. Write only the name of the section, capitalized first letter. Do not add any other information in your response.