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Saloni Dhruv profile imageSaloni DhruvPublished on

Here is a clutch of Indian footwear labels that are offering stylish, luxurious and even eco-friendly footwear for every occasion

12 homegrown shoe brands that will keep your feet happy

The offerings from these footwear labels are high on style and friendly on the pocket

How many times have you heard that “your footwear can make or break your outfit”? Although clichéd, we stand by it. Even if your outfit is basic, accessories like your shoes can immediately level up your look, whether they are a pair of classic brogues with jeans or sneakers paired with a cute dress. Indian homegrown labels are realising the importance of a great pair of shoes and are offering their consumers everything from trendy styles for everyday wear to sparkly options to add to your wedding trousseau. So we did our part (you can thank us later) and scanned the Internet to put together a list of homegrown labels for stylish, luxurious and even eco-friendly footwear for every occasion.

Dip Your Toes: For contemporary minimalismFounded in the middle of the pandemic in 2020, Dip Your Toes is a young label that aims at creating footwear for women in styles that perfectly balance trendiness with timelessly elegant silhouettes. From T-shaped knotted style flats to tweed mules, their sophisticated and versatile designs make it seamless to transition from work to play. Our pick: the square-toed croc-textured mules are a great edition to your workwear closet.Available at: dipyourtoes.in

Dip Your Toes: For contemporary minimalism

Founded in the middle of the pandemic in 2020, Dip Your Toes is a young label that aims at creating footwear for women in styles that perfectly balance trendiness with timelessly elegant silhouettes. From T-shaped knotted style flats to tweed mules, their sophisticated and versatile designs make it seamless to transition from work to play. Our pick: the square-toed croc-textured mules are a great edition to your workwear closet.

Available at:dipyourtoes.in

Happenstance: For comfort over styleLaunched in 2019 by Kerala-based Mosons Group, Happenstance tries to identify and fill in the gap in the Indian market when it comes to comfortable footwear. With quality and comfort being the key goals, the brand set up a research centre called Department of Applied Biomechanics to find various designs, compounds and formulations that would result in the best possible soles for your feet to wear every day. Our pick: their new ‘flatter’ collection of sandals claims to be the softest and the most comfortable, comprising a microfibre top and foot-bed.Available at: Happenstance.com

Happenstance: For comfort over style

Launched in 2019 by Kerala-based Mosons Group, Happenstance tries to identify and fill in the gap in the Indian market when it comes to comfortable footwear. With quality and comfort being the key goals, the brand set up a research centre called Department of Applied Biomechanics to find various designs, compounds and formulations that would result in the best possible soles for your feet to wear every day. Our pick: their new ‘flatter’ collection of sandals claims to be the softest and the most comfortable, comprising a microfibre top and foot-bed.

Available at: Happenstance.com

Paio: For vegan footwearMumbai-based Shweta Nimkar founded Paio in 2013 with one simple agenda—to create cruelty-free, sustainable and conscious footwear that provides comfort and is high on design. Approved by PETA, the brand stays away from using leather or other materials that are harmful to animals, and instead experiments with fabrics such as hemp, jute and cotton. Doing their bit for the environment as well, Paio has teamed up with 5RCycle Foundation—a waste management, non-profit organisation—to donate and give new life to footwear and clothing items, rather than dumping them in the landfills. Our pick: Their men’s range of slip-ons in collaboration with designer Wendall Rodricks are ideal to take on holidays.Available at: Paio.co

Paio: For vegan footwear

Mumbai-based Shweta Nimkar founded Paio in 2013 with one simple agenda—to create cruelty-free, sustainable and conscious footwear that provides comfort and is high on design. Approved by PETA, the brand stays away from using leather or other materials that are harmful to animals, and instead experiments with fabrics such as hemp, jute and cotton. Doing their bit for the environment as well, Paio has teamed up with 5RCycle Foundation—a waste management, non-profit organisation—to donate and give new life to footwear and clothing items, rather than dumping them in the landfills. Our pick: Their men’s range of slip-ons in collaboration with designer Wendall Rodricks are ideal to take on holidays.

Available at:Paio.co


STFY: For customised footwearNew Delhi-based footwear label Shoe That Fits You (STFY) was founded in 2015 by sisters, Kinjal and Prachi Mehta. Since then, the duo is committed to creating footwear that does not incorporate the use of leather or any animal-based material in their designs. From trendy platform sandals to block-heeled shoes in peppermint green, the brand has it all. Our pick: the duo also provides customised footwear to match with your bridal trousseau, mixing design with comfort.Available at: shoethatfityou.in

STFY: For customised footwear

New Delhi-based footwear label Shoe That Fits You (STFY) was founded in 2015 by sisters, Kinjal and Prachi Mehta. Since then, the duo is committed to creating footwear that does not incorporate the use of leather or any animal-based material in their designs. From trendy platform sandals to block-heeled shoes in peppermint green, the brand has it all. Our pick: the duo also provides customised footwear to match with your bridal trousseau, mixing design with comfort.

Available at: shoethatfityou.in

Eridani: For elegant IndianwearMumbai-based Zeisha Jaffer’s goal was to create footwear characterised by a minimal aesthetic yet elegant and stylish in terms of design. This is exactly what her label Eridani offers–whether it’s the thin-strapped block heels or strappy flats, all made available in neutral shades that can go with any outfit in your closet. Our pick: the textured Indianwear-inspired sandals that come in the form of both heels and flats are great to jazz up your festive outfits.Available at: eridani.in

Eridani: For elegant Indianwear

Mumbai-based Zeisha Jaffer’s goal was to create footwear characterised by a minimal aesthetic yet elegant and stylish in terms of design. This is exactly what her label Eridani offers–whether it’s the thin-strapped block heels or strappy flats, all made available in neutral shades that can go with any outfit in your closet. Our pick: the textured Indianwear-inspired sandals that come in the form of both heels and flats are great to jazz up your festive outfits.

Available at:eridani.in

Flatheads: For eco-friendly sneakersIf you’re looking for a pair of sneakers to support your soles while you run around doing your chores, then Flatheads is here to cater to your busy lifestyle. Founded by Bengaluru-based entrepreneurs Utkarsh Biradar and Ganesh Balakrishnan, Flathead shoes are made from natural bamboo fibres—the first of its kind in India. The shoes are ultra-lightweight, easy to clean as well as pack in any bag or suitcase. Our pick: you can never go wrong with a pair of basic white sneakers made using banana stem fibres.Available at: flatheads.in

Flatheads: For eco-friendly sneakers

If you’re looking for a pair of sneakers to support your soles while you run around doing your chores, then Flatheads is here to cater to your busy lifestyle. Founded by Bengaluru-based entrepreneurs Utkarsh Biradar and Ganesh Balakrishnan, Flathead shoes are made from natural bamboo fibres—the first of its kind in India. The shoes are ultra-lightweight, easy to clean as well as pack in any bag or suitcase. Our pick: you can never go wrong with a pair of basic white sneakers made using banana stem fibres.

Available at:flatheads.in

Gossip: For a dose of denimAlthough the brand was founded in the early 1990s, Karim Jaffer’s need to create a footwear label that people talked about led to him starting Gossip. Keeping up with the trends, you’ll find all your footwear requirements here, from sparkly occasion-wear to embroidered mules. Our pick: their newest collection featuring denim footwear has us adding the entire collection to our virtual cart.Available at: wedontgossip.com

Gossip: For a dose of denim

Although the brand was founded in the early 1990s, Karim Jaffer’s need to create a footwear label that people talked about led to him starting Gossip. Keeping up with the trends, you’ll find all your footwear requirements here, from sparkly occasion-wear to embroidered mules. Our pick: their newest collection featuring denim footwear has us adding the entire collection to our virtual cart.

Available at:wedontgossip.com

Prisca: For a pop of colourIf your wardrobe largely consists of neutrals, and you wish to add a dose of colour to the mix, follow Mansi Sharma’s footwear label Prisca, which offers fun statement pieces that are sure to start conversations. Think candy-coloured block heels with your favourite pair of jeans or coral-hued strappy sandals to pack for your vacation. Our pick: multi-coloured strappy mules with an animal-print hexagon heel is one way to make a statement.Available at: houseofprisca.com

Prisca: For a pop of colour

If your wardrobe largely consists of neutrals, and you wish to add a dose of colour to the mix, follow Mansi Sharma’s footwear label Prisca, which offers fun statement pieces that are sure to start conversations. Think candy-coloured block heels with your favourite pair of jeans or coral-hued strappy sandals to pack for your vacation. Our pick: multi-coloured strappy mules with an animal-print hexagon heel is one way to make a statement.

Available at:houseofprisca.com

Tinsel Toes: For embroidered juttisEmbroidery is the heart of this Chandigarh-based footwear label, which was founded in 2019 by Sunakshi Jain. As a homegrown brand, Jain mixes the traditional embroidery with juttis to lend the footwear a contemporary twist. From bead-work to tassels, Tinsel Toes’ collection of juttis, slides and heeled mules are perfect to pair with your casual Indian outfits or your traditional sarees, all of which are handcrafted by local artisans. Our pick: The flamingo-embroidered juttis in pastel blue can add a tropical touch to your outfit.Available at: tinseltoes.in

Tinsel Toes: For embroidered juttis

Embroidery is the heart of this Chandigarh-based footwear label, which was founded in 2019 by Sunakshi Jain. As a homegrown brand, Jain mixes the traditional embroidery with juttis to lend the footwear a contemporary twist. From bead-work to tassels, Tinsel Toes’ collection of juttis, slides and heeled mules are perfect to pair with your casual Indian outfits or your traditional sarees, all of which are handcrafted by local artisans. Our pick: The flamingo-embroidered juttis in pastel blue can add a tropical touch to your outfit.

Available at:tinseltoes.in

Baron & Bay: For classic loafersMen’s footwear label Baron & Bay promises luxury over trends. The styles are relaxed, timeless and versatile, created by going through 26 steps to craft a pair of shoes. Specialising in loafers and slip-ons, Baron & Bay’s footwear is made from handpicked leathers from Italy and Argentina, among others. The brand also provides ‘salon services’ for your pair of shoes, in case they require small repairs or buffing. Our pick: their ‘street sneaker’ lends the look of an Italian leather shoe with the comfort of a sneaker.Available at: baronandbay.com

Baron & Bay: For classic loafers

Men’s footwear label Baron & Bay promises luxury over trends. The styles are relaxed, timeless and versatile, created by going through 26 steps to craft a pair of shoes. Specialising in loafers and slip-ons, Baron & Bay’s footwear is made from handpicked leathers from Italy and Argentina, among others. The brand also provides ‘salon services’ for your pair of shoes, in case they require small repairs or buffing. Our pick: their ‘street sneaker’ lends the look of an Italian leather shoe with the comfort of a sneaker.

Available at:baronandbay.com

Aprajita Toor: For classic kolhapurisThe label may be a decade old now (founded in 2012), but designer Aprajita Toor’s vision to make the perfect Indian sandal is still alive, albeit evolving with time and changing trends. Based out of Mumbai, Toor’s eponymous brand offers a luxury take on Indian footwear, namely kolhapuris, but reinventing them in non-leather alternatives and neutral shades, all created by craftspersons and artisans from across the country. Our pick: the light beige, block-heeled kolhapuris with white detailing is a minimalist’s dream.Available at: aprajitatoor.com

Aprajita Toor: For classic kolhapuris

The label may be a decade old now (founded in 2012), but designer Aprajita Toor’s vision to make the perfect Indian sandal is still alive, albeit evolving with time and changing trends. Based out of Mumbai, Toor’s eponymous brand offers a luxury take on Indian footwear, namely kolhapuris, but reinventing them in non-leather alternatives and neutral shades, all created by craftspersons and artisans from across the country. Our pick: the light beige, block-heeled kolhapuris with white detailing is a minimalist’s dream.

Available at:aprajitatoor.com

Vanilla Moon: For boots, brogues and ‘ugly sandals’Looking for a chicer version of the ‘ugly sandal’ trend that has millennials and Gen-Z hoarding old-school footwear? Deepika and Gautam Mehra’s New Delhi-based label Vanilla Moon has upgraded this trend with their subtle interpretation of chunky footwear. Not just that, but the brand also has a collection of loafers, boots and brogues for women to add to their travel wardrobe, and are created in the heart of Agra, the city of master shoemakers.Available at: vanillamoon.in

Vanilla Moon: For boots, brogues and ‘ugly sandals’

Looking for a chicer version of the ‘ugly sandal’ trend that has millennials and Gen-Z hoarding old-school footwear? Deepika and Gautam Mehra’s New Delhi-based label Vanilla Moon has upgraded this trend with their subtle interpretation of chunky footwear. Not just that, but the brand also has a collection of loafers, boots and brogues for women to add to their travel wardrobe, and are created in the heart of Agra, the city of master shoemakers.

Available at:vanillamoon.in

Also Read: Why are homegrown footwear brands in India on the rise?

Also Read: How ‘ugly shoes’ have become a style statement of our time

Also Read: The reason you’re seeing this controversial sandal everywhere

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