Prada’s New Chai Perfume: A Luxury Scent Sparking Cultural Conversation
The luxury world is abuzz as Prada launches a chai-inspired perfume, drawing creative inspiration from Indian culture. The new fragrance, Infusion de Santal Chai Eau de Parfum, blends the comforting aroma of spiced tea with high fashion, but it also reignites complex debates about cultural sourcing and authenticity in the global luxury market.
The Scent: A “Chai Latte” in a Bottle
Priced at approximately $190 (roughly ₹17,000) for a 100ml bottle, the unisex fragrance is part of Prada’s Les Infusions collection. It aims to bottle the sensory experience of a warm cup of masala chai. The scent profile combines:
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Creamy sandalwood and smooth musks for warmth
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Spicy chai latte accords
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Refreshing citrus and subtle cardamom
This composition positions it as a distinctive, woody-spicy alternative in a market dominated by florals, sparking curiosity among fragrance enthusiasts and chai lovers alike.
A Pattern of Indian Inspiration
This launch follows a notable pattern of Prada drawing from Indian cultural motifs. In 2024, the brand faced significant criticism for featuring runway sandals that closely resembled traditional Kolhapuri chappals from Maharashtra. That incident sparked a widespread debate on cultural appropriation, with critics highlighting the lack of acknowledgment or collaboration with the artisan communities behind the original craft.
That context now shades the reaction to this chai perfume. While some see it as a creative homage, others view it as another instance where a deeply rooted, everyday Indian tradition is reinterpreted as a luxury commodity without clear engagement with its source culture.
Mixed Public Reaction: From Excitement to Skepticism
Reactions online have been divided:
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Enthusiasts celebrate the novel, comforting concept, excited to wear a scent that evokes a beloved ritual.
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Skeptics question the authenticity and intent, with humorous comments preferring “actual chai” or more serious critiques about the ongoing dynamic of Western luxury brands profiting from non-Western cultural elements without equitable recognition or partnership.
This divide reflects a larger, ongoing conversation in fashion and beauty about the line between cultural exchange and cultural appropriation, especially when symbols of daily life are repackaged for high-end consumers.
The Bigger Picture for Global Luxury
Prada’s move highlights a broader trend: luxury brands are increasingly seeking authentic, emotionally resonant themes from global cultures to differentiate their products. Ingredients, crafts, and rituals—from chai to traditional footwear—offer rich narrative potential.
However, this trend comes with rising consumer expectations. Brands are now urged to move beyond superficial inspiration towards meaningful collaboration, credit, and sensitivity. The discourse around Prada’s chai perfume underscores that today’s audiences are more attentive to how cultural heritage is referenced and respected.
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The Bottom Line
Prada’s Infusion de Santal Chai is more than a new fragrance; it’s a cultural litmus test. It successfully creates a conversation-starting, luxurious scent inspired by a universal comfort. Yet, it also serves as a reminder that in an interconnected world, luxury branding must navigate inspiration with intention, balancing creative borrowing with genuine respect for the origins of its ideas. Whether this scent is remembered as a warm innovation or a missed opportunity for deeper cultural dialogue remains part of its evolving story.
