From teacup to perfume bottle, Prada’s chai goes luxury

MUMBAI: Prada has found a new way to serve chai and this time, it comes in a perfume bottle.

The Italian fashion house has launched Infusion de Santal Chai, a unisex fragrance inspired by the warmth and comfort of India’s most familiar drink. Designed as part of Prada’s Les Infusions collection, the scent treats tea as an experience rather than a flavour, evoking calm, familiarity and soft indulgence.

The launch was announced on January 7 via Prada’s official social media channels. The teaser kept things minimal and moody, featuring a brown-toned bottle, flowing tea visuals, sandalwood bark and green cardamom pods. The message was clear: this is luxury that whispers, not shouts.

The fragrance belongs to the woody and milky family. It opens with a chai latte accord layered over creamy sandalwood, lifted by fresh citrus and sharpened slightly by cardamom. Soft musks bring everything together, creating a clean, cosy scent that stays close to the skin.

Prada describes the perfume as an exploration of sandalwood’s creamy character, where spice meets freshness and warmth is balanced with restraint. It is designed to feel intimate rather than dramatic, making it suitable for both men and women.

The bottle reflects the same understated elegance. Finished in a warm brown hue, it features an engravable glass body and a camel-coloured cap in Prada’s signature Saffiano texture, keeping the design timeless and refined.

This is not the first time Prada has drawn from Indian-inspired elements. The brand previously faced criticism after showcasing footwear resembling Kolhapuri chappals at a Milan fashion show, which sparked debate around cultural appropriation.

Infusion de Santal Chai is priced at $190, approximately ₹17,083, placing it firmly in the luxury category. It is not an everyday purchase but a considered indulgence aimed at those who appreciate subtlety over spectacle.

Chai, it seems, has officially entered the couture cabinet.