After Kolhapuri chappals, Prada now launches chai-inspired perfume

Luxury fashion store Prada has introduced a new fragrance inspired by chai, aiming to appeal especially for the Indian market or consumers, and tea lovers worldwide. The perfume, titled ‘Infusion de Santal Chai’, is a part of Prada’s les infusion collection.

According to product description, the unisex perfume is designed to capture the warmth and familiarity of the chai noted with creamy sandalwood, complimented by a hint of cardamom and fresh citrus. The perfume comes in a luxurious brown bottle, topped with a  camel color with a Saffiano texture cap.

According to Prada’s official website, the fragrance is priced at $190 (approximately ₹17,000) for a 100 ml bottle.

While the launch has generated interest among fragrance enthusiasts and chai lovers intrigued by its creamy and spiced profile, reactions have been mixed.

Some consumers have welcomed the innovative concept, while others remain unsure about how traditional chai notes translate into a luxury perfume.

As someone said, “As much as I like chai, I most certainly don’t wanna SMELL like one.” Another one said, “Biryani bhi kar dete,” suggesting that if food-inspired scents are the trend, other iconic Indian flavours could follow.

On the other hand, several fragrance lovers welcomed the launch. One enthusiastic commenter wrote, “I am just too excited!! Finally a chai scent that is true to masala chai aromatic warmth,” while another added, “Super excited to try this one.”

This is not the first time Prada has launched something rooted deeply into Indian culture. Last year, the brand was in the news for launching the Kolhapuri-inspired chappals, generating a similar polarising buzz on the internet.