There’s “inspired by culture” and then there’s “Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V.” Guess which one Prada’s being accused of?

ICYMI, the Italian luxury house, beloved by fashionistas and finance bros alike, just dropped a pair of embroidered heels that look suspiciously like the OG Rajasthani juttis your nani probably wore to a cousin’s shaadi. Except now they’ve got a stiletto slapped on and a four-digit dollar tag that screams colonial hangover chic.

And let me tell you, the internet is not having it.

When Ethnic Becomes Aesthetic (But Only After a White Label Approves)

Let’s call a spade a stiletto: This isn’t “reimagination.” It’s repackaging.

Rajasthani juttis have been part of India’s craft legacy for centuries, meticulously handmade, embroidered with threads of heritage, worn with pride across festivals, weddings, and your casual FabIndia fit. And now? A European fashion house tosses in a designer logo, slaps on a heel, and suddenly we’re supposed to call it innovation?

Nah, that’s cultural appropriation wearing Louboutin red.

Where’s the Credit?

Did Prada shout out Indian artisans? Mention any collaboration with local craftsmen? Pledge a portion of proceeds to revive traditional embroidery communities?

Crickets.

And this is where it gets exhausting. Western luxury brands have a pattern (pun fully intended): dip into “ethnic” styles, extract what’s photogenic, erase context, and sell it back to us with a higher price tag and a side of elitism. It’s like they discovered turmeric and rebranded it as “golden latte.”

Fashion Should Borrow, Not Steal

Look, inspiration isn’t the problem. Cross-cultural influence has always been a style goldmine, just ask Sabyasachi. But the difference is in how you do it.

Acknowledging roots? Cool. Collaborating with artisans? Iconic. Pretending you invented something that's been sold at Sarojini for ₹299 since forever? That’s lazy at best, exploitative at worst.

The Internet’s Verdict: Not So Haute, Actually

Twitter and Instagram lit up faster than a Diwali firecracker. Desi creators were quick to post side-by-side comparisons, with captions like:

  • “Prada’s new heels look like they just left a Karva Chauth party.”
  • “This ain’t fashion, it’s plagiarism in stilettos.”
  • “My dadi wore these to the mandi before Prada found them cute.”

Even meme pages got involved. One viral post: “POV: You paid $1200 for a pair of shoes you could've borrowed from your bhabhi’s wedding stash.”

So what now?

This isn’t just about shoes. It’s about the broader pattern of selective appreciation—where global brands adore the look of our culture, but not the labor or the legacy behind it.

If luxury wants to flirt with folk, it needs to stop ghosting the artisans. Share the profit. Share the spotlight. And maybe, just maybe, don’t pretend you're the genius who "invented" a centuries-old design.

Let’s Talk Labels and Legacy

Are we okay with culture being commodified? Or do we demand that fashion pays homage with receipts? Drop your thoughts, your rants, or even your favorite jutti pics because in this economy, calling out BS is always in style.