Italian luxury fashion brand Prada has sparked curiosity among fashion enthusiasts with its recent introduction of a chai-infused fragrance. Titled the “Infusion de Santal Chai”, a 100 ml bottle is priced at $190 (₹17,098.10).
In a social media post, the brand remarked on the arrival of the new perfume by stating, “A new infusion, stirred differently. Meet Infusion de Santal Chai.”
According to the official website, this fragrance belongs to the woody and milky family and is designed for both men and women.
The scent combines creamy sandalwood with the spicy essence of chai latte, establishing a warm and comforting aroma, enhanced by fresh hints of citrus and cardamom, along with the soothing aspects of musks.
Last year, the famous Italian fashion house endured significant backlash after it unveiled sandals echoing the traditional Kolhapuri chappals from Maharashtra.
The showcased sandals were brown leather flats featuring a classic T-strap linked to a toe loop, embellished with embossing, intricate cutwork, and braided details. Following this, numerous Kolhapuri chappal artisans expressed their disappointment at Prada’s adaptation of the design without proper acknowledgment.
At that time, a spokesperson for Prada noted that the brand has “always celebrated craftsmanship, heritage and design traditions,” adding that they were in dialogue with the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture regarding the matter.
In response to the criticism concerning cultural appropriation, the fashion house later launched a limited-edition collection of footwear inspired by Kolhapuri sandals. They announced plans to produce 2,000 pairs of sandals in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
This new collection will be available online and across 40 Prada stores worldwide starting February this year.
Originating from Kolhapur, these handcrafted sandals have a history that dates back to the 12th century and received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2019 from the Government of India.
($1 = ₹89.99 today)
