Bengaluru: Reacting to the row involving Italian fashion brand Prada and Kolhapuri chappals, Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge said on Sunday that many artisans who make the iconic chappals are from Karnataka’s Belagavi, Bagalkot and Dharwad districts. He added that artisans and their legacy must be “showcased” instead of being “sidelined” by international fashion houses. “So, Prada is selling what are essentially Kolhapuri chappals for Rs 1.2 lakh a pair,” he said on X.Pointing out that local handicrafts and artisans should be promoted through cultural entrepreneurship, he said: “We need to invest in skilling, branding, design innovation and global market access for these artisans. They deserve better prices, wider exposure, and chance to build lasting, dignified livelihoods from their craft.” Kharge said he intervened to ensure the GI tag for Kolhapuris was given jointly to Maharashtra and Karnataka.
