Tag: Prada

Fit & Fabulous

Prada Acquires Versace in $1.38bn Deal, Reshaping the Luxury Fashion Landscape

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Prada has announced the successful acquisition of Versace in a $1.38bn deal, marking one of the most significant shifts in the luxury fashion sector in recent years. The purchase brings together two of Italy’s most celebrated fashion houses, strengthening Prada’s position in an increasingly competitive global luxury market dominated by conglomerates such as LVMH. The price tag represents a considerable loss for Versace’s former owner, Capri Holdings, which acquired the brand for approximately $2bn in 2018.

The sale comes at a time when Versace has experienced slowing sales, along with other Capri-owned labels including Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo. During its ownership, Capri oversaw a creative shift at Versace, steering the brand away from its signature ornate aesthetic toward more minimalist styles while simultaneously increasing prices. The transition followed the departure of Donatella Versace, who stepped down as creative chief in March after leading the fashion house for 27 years following her brother Gianni’s death.

She was succeeded by Dario Vitale, formerly a design director at Prada’s youth-oriented label, Miu Miu. Capri Holdings stated that proceeds from the sale will be used to significantly reduce its debt, strengthening its financial position moving forward. Meanwhile, Prada expressed optimism about Versace’s long-term potential, with Prada CEO Andrea Guerra noting earlier this year that the brand represents a major strategic opportunity.

Prada confirmed in a brief statement that all regulatory approvals have been secured, officially closing the acquisition and ushering in a new era for Versace under Prada’s expanding luxury portfolio.

Business

Prada’s $775 Safety Pin Brooch Sparks Internet Debate Over Luxury Pricing

allycaralgoa

Luxury fashion house Prada has once again made headlines — this time, not for a couture gown or handbag, but for an accessory as simple as a safety pin.

The Italian brand recently released a brooch featuring a sleek metallic safety pin adorned with delicate crochet details and a Prada logo charm. It’s a creative fusion of minimalist design and handcrafted artistry — but it’s the price tag of $775 (approximately ₹68,758) that’s getting everyone talking.

Social media users have been quick to react, with opinions ranging from admiration for Prada’s design innovation to disbelief over the cost of a safety pin. Some fashion lovers see it as a collectible piece of wearable art, while others call it an example of “luxury gone too far.”

This isn’t the first time luxury fashion has sparked debate over pricing — but it certainly shows how brands like Prada continue to redefine the boundaries between everyday objects and high-end fashion.

Whether you see it as a statement of art or extravagance, there’s no denying one thing — Prada knows how to keep the world watching.

🧷✨

#Prada #LuxuryFashion #ViralTrend #DesignerAccessories #FashionBuzz #StyleStatement #Allycaral #AllycaralGoa

International

Prada to Collaborate with Indian Artisans After Kolhapuri Sandal Controversy

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

Milan / Mumbai | July 2025 — Global luxury fashion brand Prada has taken a major step towards cultural collaboration after facing backlash for a sandal design that closely resembled the iconic Kolhapuri chappals — a traditional Indian footwear style rooted in centuries of regional craft.

The sandals, showcased at a recent Milan fashion event, quickly drew criticism from Indian designers and cultural commentators for not crediting their indigenous origins. The controversy sparked a broader conversation about cultural appropriation and recognition in the fashion industry.

In a swift and thoughtful response, Prada held remote talks with the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, which represents more than 3,000 Kolhapuri sandal artisans. According to a statement given to Reuters, Prada expressed interest in future collaboration with these artisans. The next step, the brand shared, involves their supply chain team visiting India to meet artisanal footwear manufacturers firsthand.

Lorenzo Bertelli, head of corporate social responsibility and son of Prada’s founders, joined the dialogue, signaling the seriousness of the initiative. One of the outcomes discussed was a limited-edition “Made in India” collection — combining the artisanal beauty of Kolhapuri designs with Prada’s global luxury appeal.

This potential partnership could represent a landmark moment for Indian craftsmanship, offering traditional artisans global visibility and financial upliftment. It also comes at a time when Indian luxury consumption is rising, although Prada currently has no retail outlets in India.

Fashion critics and supporters alike are watching closely, seeing this move as an opportunity to convert controversy into meaningful collaboration. If successful, it may inspire other global brands to build more respectful, mutually beneficial relationships with traditional craftsmen around the world.

As luxury brands increasingly pivot toward sustainability, transparency, and cultural authenticity, this collaboration may set a precedent in how design houses engage with and honour global heritage.

Entertainment

PIL Filed Against Prada Over Kolhapuri-Inspired Footwear: Petitioners Demand Apology & Compensation

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New Delhi, July 3, 2025 — Luxury fashion label Prada has landed in legal hot water in India after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Delhi High Court accusing the brand of cultural appropriation. The controversy erupted after the Italian fashion house launched a sandal design bearing a striking resemblance to India’s iconic Kolhapuri chappals.

The PIL, filed by a collective of craft advocacy groups and legal activists, calls for:

  • A formal public apology from Prada
  • Compensation for affected artisan communities in Maharashtra
  • An immediate halt to further sales and marketing of the product

🧵 What Sparked the Backlash?

Prada’s recently released footwear — marketed as a “heritage leather sandal” — bears multiple design elements traditionally found in Kolhapuri chappals, including:

  • The distinctive T-strap and toe-ring design
  • Handcrafted leatherwork resembling patterns from Maharashtra’s Kolhapur region
  • A minimalist, open-toe construction

Despite this, the product made no mention of its Indian origins or the artisans who have preserved and passed down the Kolhapuri style for generations.

“This is not just about a shoe,” said one of the petitioners. “It’s about erasure of heritage and denial of rightful credit and benefits to indigenous craftsmen.”

👣 Kolhapuri Chappals: A Cultural Symbol

The Kolhapuri chappal, handcrafted by artisans from the Kolhapur district in Maharashtra, is protected under India’s Geographical Indication (GI) tag and is regarded as a symbol of traditional Indian craftsmanship.

Artisan networks and local cooperatives across Maharashtra and Karnataka have worked tirelessly to revive and sustain this form of heritage footwear in domestic and international markets.

“It is deeply disrespectful for a global luxury brand to lift our design without acknowledgment,” said a spokesperson from the Kolhapuri Artisan Federation.

⚖️ Legal and Ethical Questions

The PIL raises broader questions about intellectual property, ethical design, and fair trade, especially when it comes to global brands capitalizing on traditional knowledge without giving due credit.

The petitioners have urged the court to direct Prada to:

  • Include proper labelling and attribution in future collections
  • Create a royalty-based model for Indian artisans if such designs are reproduced commercially
  • Fund community-based artisan development programs

🗨️ What’s Next?

The Delhi High Court has sought responses from Prada’s legal representatives and scheduled the next hearing for later this month. Legal experts say this could set a precedent in cultural appropriation and GI protection law in India.

Meanwhile, the controversy has gone viral on social media, with hashtags like #KolhapuriNotPrada and #RespectHandmade trending as users rally behind Indian artisans.

🧵 Conclusion

As the case unfolds, it reignites the conversation around ethical fashion and the importance of recognizing traditional craftsmanship in the global design ecosystem. Whether Prada responds with reform or resistance remains to be seen — but for now, all eyes are on the courtroom and the cobbler’s bench.