G.N. Gopikrishna, a 75‑year‑old social worker from Belagavi, Karnataka, played a pivotal role in confronting the European fashion house Prada over its unlicensed use of the traditional Kolhapuri chappal design, arranging a meeting that brought together the Karnataka government, local artisans and Prada engineers. Gopikrishna had condemned the European company Prada for using the designs of Kolhapuri slippers made in Athani, Belgaum without permission. As a result of his struggle, Prada engineers came to Athani and started training the workers there.
Gopikrishna headed the Indian division of Oxfam and consistently provided financial aid and training to countless artisans, service organisations, and women’s groups across India. After retiring, he settled in Belagavi, served on Fabindia’s board and other khadi‑related bodies, and helped modernise branding for khadi, handloom and handicraft products, expanding their markets domestically and abroad.
In 2025, he organised the ‘Living Lightly’ exhibition on the Bangalore University campus, giving Karnataka’s shepherd and wool‑weaving communities a platform to display their work. He built a wide network of social‑service contacts and artisan groups nationwide, regularly inviting experts to train students and artisans in various Karnataka districts. More recently, he brought internationally acclaimed designer Lloyd Richard to Sankeshwar in Belagavi district to launch a three‑month embroidery workshop for women.
Gopikrishna founded ‘Mitan’ in Mekalmaradi village near Yaragatti (Belagavi district) to train women from nearby villages in producing and exporting home‑decor items, bags and wallets; the group has been exporting to the United States, Europe and the Middle East for two decades. He also set up a rural skill‑training centre beside the Bireshwara temple in Kadoli village (Belagavi district) to teach women to make products from sheep wool and leather.
When the European fashion house Prada began using the design of Kolhapuri chappals—made in Athani, Belagavi district—without permission, Gopikrishna used his influence to convene a meeting between the Karnataka government, Prada and the artisans. Following the talks, Prada engineers visited Athani and started training local craftsmen.
“His intervention with Prada was a turning point for our community,” said the president of the Kolhapuri Chappal Artisans’ Association. The Kolhapuri Chappal Artisans’ Association, the Kadoli Training Centre and other groups have expressed condolences on his passing.
