Chai in a Bottle: Prada makes your favorite tea wearable

Italian fashion powerhouse Prada has stirred excitement in India with the launch of Infusion de Santal Chai Eau de Parfum , a unisex fragrance inspired by the country’s beloved chai . Part of the brand’s Les Infusions collection, the perfume merges luxury fashion with one of India’s most cherished rituals.

According to Prada, the chai-inspired scent features a rich fusion of creamy sandalwood and spicy chai latte notes, enhanced with a hint of citrus and aromatic cardamom . The result is a woody, spicy fragrance that evokes warmth and familiarity. Prada’s design echoes the theme, with a brown-hued glass bottle topped with a camel Saffiano cap , reminiscent of a comforting cup of tea.

The launch has quickly sparked a lively conversation on social media. Enthusiastic responses ranged from “Omg I want to try!! Love the chai” to praise Indian products.

Prada’s chai perfume also brings to mind the brand’s earlier engagement with India. In 2025, a PIL was filed in the Bombay High Court against the fashion house for allegedly copying Kolhapuri designs in its summer collection. Following this, a Prada team visited India to understand the history and craftsmanship of Kolhapuri chappals. By December, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Prada, Maharashtra’s LIDCOM , and Karnataka’s LIDKAR under the project “Prada Made in India - Inspired by Kolhapuri Chappals.”

This collaboration aims to blend centuries-old traditional manufacturing techniques with Prada’s contemporary design sensibilities, giving a modern twist to the iconic Kolhapuri footwear.

With the launch of the chai-inspired perfume and its ongoing India collaborations, Prada is once again demonstrating how fashion and cultural narratives can intersect in innovative ways.