Italian luxury fashion powerhouse Prada is once again making waves in India, this time with a fragrant tribute to the nation's beloved beverage. Following last year's controversy over its Kolhapuri chappal designs, the brand has unveiled a new unisex fragrance inspired by the aromatic essence of Indian chai.
A Scent Inspired by Tradition: Infusion de Santal Chai
The new offering, named Infusion de Santal Chai Eau de Parfum, is part of Prada's Les Infusions collection. The perfume creatively blends creamy sandalwood with the spicy, comforting notes of a chai latte. The composition is finished with accents of citrus and cardamom, resulting in a woody and aromatic scent profile. Prada has priced the fragrance at approximately $190 (around Rs 17,000) on its official website.
The bottle design thoughtfully complements the theme. It is crafted from warm brown glass and topped with a camel-colored Saffiano leather cap, which the brand suggests is reminiscent of a teacup. Announcing the launch on Instagram, Prada wrote, "A new Infusion, stirred differently. Meet Infusion de Santal Chai."
The post quickly garnered attention from social media users. One excited user commented, "Omg I want to try!! Love the chai", while another noted, "Indian chai, interesting." A third user highlighted a broader sentiment, writing, "Every Indian product like kolhapuri chappal, paithani, food products and chai is also very great and perfectly useful for all world. Made in India."
From Controversy to Collaboration: The Kolhapuri Chappal Chapter
The launch of the chai perfume has revived memories of Prada's previous engagement with Indian cultural symbols. In 2025, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Bombay High Court alleging that Prada's summer collection had copied traditional Kolhapuri chappal designs.
Prada's response to the controversy was proactive and collaborative. The brand engaged directly with Indian artisans to deeply understand the heritage and craftsmanship behind the iconic footwear. This dialogue culminated in December 2025 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Maharashtra's LIDCOM and Karnataka's LIDKAR. The project is aptly named Prada Made in India – Inspired by Kolhapuri Chappals.
This landmark collaboration aims to fuse centuries-old traditional manufacturing techniques with Prada's contemporary design aesthetics. A key outcome will be a limited-edition collection of 2,000 Kolhapuri chappals, with each pair priced at about €800 (roughly Rs 84,000). This exclusive collection is scheduled to be available in February 2026 across 40 Prada stores worldwide and via its online platform.
Global Spotlight on Indian Craftsmanship
Prada's senior executive, Lorenzo Bertelli, explained the initiative's core objective to Reuters. He stated that the aim is to bring global attention to the exquisite craft, ensure that the artisans are fairly compensated, and provide them with training opportunities. This training will occur both in India and at the Prada Academy in Italy.
Prerna Deshbhratar, the Managing Director of LIDCOM, expressed optimism about the partnership's impact. She remarked, "Once a global brand like Prada supports this craft, demand is likely to grow naturally." This sentiment underscores the potential for such collaborations to preserve heritage arts while introducing them to a luxury global market.
Prada's recent moves—from navigating a design controversy to launching a chai-inspired fragrance and establishing a formal artisan collaboration—demonstrate a strategic effort to engage with Indian culture. The brand is moving beyond mere inspiration to foster partnerships that acknowledge origin, benefit local craftspeople, and offer unique, culturally-infused products to its international clientele.
