After Kolhapuri chappals, Prada latest inspiration from India is chai in a new perfume
The 'Infusion de Santal Chai' fragrance is priced at $190, which translates to approximately ?17,000 in the Indian market.
Pitch Feature
Luxury fashion house Prada has unveiled its latest fragrance, Infusion de Santal Chai, drawing inspiration from one of India’s most familiar rituals: chai. The launch has sparked animated conversations online, particularly among tea lovers and fragrance enthusiasts intrigued by the idea of a luxury perfume rooted in a daily cultural staple.
The new scent is part of Prada’s Infusion line, known for reinterpreting natural materials and recognisable aromas through a refined, contemporary lens. Retailing at $190 (approximately ?17,000), the unisex fragrance is described by the brand as “a woody and milky composition” that blends creamy sandalwood with a spicy chai accord, fresh citrus notes and comforting musks—positioned as a modern comfort scent.
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Unsurprisingly, the use of the word chai—both in the name and the concept—quickly caught the internet’s attention. Many users questioned how global luxury brands interpret culturally rooted elements, especially those as widely consumed and deeply ingrained as chai.
Within the perfume industry, however, food-and beverage-inspired fragrances are far from new. Notes built around coffee, vanilla, spices and desserts have long featured in luxury and niche perfumery, often designed to evoke warmth, nostalgia and familiarity rather than replicate the literal aroma. Viewed in this context, Infusion de Santal Chai fits neatly into an established olfactory category.
The discourse around the fragrance has also been influenced by a recent controversy involving Prada, where one of the brand’s footwear designs drew comparisons with traditional Indian Kolhapuri chappals. That episode reignited debates around cultural appropriation and how global luxury brands borrow from Indian aesthetics—adding another layer to the response surrounding the chai-inspired perfume.
On social media, reactions have ranged from humour and scepticism to genuine excitement. Some users poked fun at the idea, with comments such as, “As much as I love chai, I most certainly don’t want to smell like one,” and “Why pay Prada $190 for ‘chai’ perfume when you can get the same effect for free by standing over the stove for two minutes?” Others, however, welcomed the concept, saying, “I am just too excited—finally a chai scent that captures the aromatic warmth of masala chai,” noting their surprise at seeing masala chai emerge as a perfume note.
Ultimately, the buzz around Prada’s Infusion de Santal Chai underscores how cultural references, when adopted by global luxury brands, often provoke layered reactions—blending curiosity, critique and humour in equal measure.
