Just days after Italian fashion label Prada drew criticism for showcasing $800 sandals eerily similar to India’s iconic Kolhapuri chappals—without acknowledging their roots—a Tamil Nadu-based saree store has stitched together a viral counterpunch.
Pachaiyappas Silks, known for its traditional weaves, stunned social media users by unveiling a handwoven Kanchipuram silk saree featuring the unmistakable Louis Vuitton (LV) monogram—woven directly into the fabric, not printed. Their viral Instagram reel shows a woman being gifted an onion-pink saree, as a proud salesperson describes it as “specially made at Pachaiyappas.”
What’s more? The saree is real, not AI-generated, and is available in their stores in Chennai, Kanchipuram, Vellore, and Tiruvannamalai. Online queries are welcome, too.
The caption reads: “A bold blend of tradition and global fashion. Wear it, style it, and be the trendsetter.”
The internet, meanwhile, is torn between treating the creation as a cheeky fashion statement or sharp satire. Comments range from “Only in India would we handloom haute couture” to “Is this available in Gucci green?”
The post is being celebrated as a tongue-in-cheek response to global fashion’s tendency to borrow from Indian designs—often without credit. While Prada’s Kolhapuri-inspired footwear stirred debate, Pachaiyappas Silks is turning heads and reclaiming the narrative with a loom and a wink.