Happy Feet Made to Order

THE MODERN SHOEMAKER:

In Chandigarh’s Sector 34 inner market,Gagan Shoe Shop and Dalip Shoemaker have never seen a dull day in business. For more than 25 years,they have been making shoes on order,catering to a variety of demands. “But we make shoes only for men,” says Subhash Chand,who joined the family business more than 10 years ago. Chand says while the shoe market has really expanded lately and this has affected their business in some ways,their loyal customers still prefer to wear handmade customized shoes. So they keep coming back to his shop year after year. “These are discerning customers who can tell genuine leather from the fake,and know that each pair has been made over many days,” says Chand,a third-generation shoemaker. He adds that most customers come with international books which have latest designs and these people replicate the design as per the colour choice. As opposed to ‘readymade,machine-made shoes’,Chand believes hand-crafted shoes not only last longer,but are also more feet-friendly and light-weight. The genuine leather they use is sourced from Delhi and Karnal.

Elsewhere at Americano in Sector 8 ,Bhim Singh is busy giving final finishes to a pair of beige ankle-length suede women’s shoes,ordered by a college student. He is deeply absorbed in giving the sides of the shoes a sheen. For the past 55 years,Singh and his four colleagues have been hand-crafting shoes. On a small rack next to them,there are a number of books of foreign shoes for design inspiration. Singh says they are open to copying any design that the customer wants. “Some want identical designer shoes,which we make according to their budget and colour preference,” he says. Competition,he adds,hasn’t really made a dent in their business,for a discerning customer knows the difference between pure leather and rexine.

“The comfort factor of handmade shoes is far superior to those bought off the shelf. Also,these shoes emit no odour,are warm in summer and cool in winter and light-weight as well,” says Singh. He hand-picks his leather from Delhi,Agra and Madras and uses conventional tools to craft a shoe.

You can also buy online. AVE’s in Mumbai is popular for its customised sneakers and keds with sport funky pictures,all hand-painted. Aastha Verma of AVE’s says,“I got noticed when I participated in the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival this year. I take a brief from the client,improvise and create my own custom design.” Verma sells her customised shoes chiefly through her page,www.facebook.com/aveshoes.

Damage: Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000

USP: Comfort and design

THE SHOE COUTURIER:

Flip through the pages of a fashion magazine,and you cannot help wondering if you will ever own anything that can match Jimmy Choo,Miu Miu or Salvatore Ferragamo. At John Bros in Connaught Place,New Delhi owner Jude Yep says confidently,“Yes,you can.” John Bros carefully selects its raw material so that the final creation looks as good as the fashionable brands. “Some men want to look taller,so we make the shoes in such a way that it adds height but doesn’t look like they are wearing heels,” he adds.

At a.k.a. in Mumbai,designers Aeiman Jarwala,Karan Berry and Ateev Anand offer a range,from classic to high-end bridal wear. “We have many discerning clients who believe in customising their accessories to suit their style,and we cater to their needs,” say the designers.

Damage: Rs 3,000 onwards

USP: International designs at local prices

THE ASTRO SOLE

One step ahead,literally in the shoe-making business,is shoe designer Swati Mehrotra. The Delhi-based shoe designer,who launched her label Swatimodo more than a year back and makes footwear according to the Zodiac has teamed up with Chandigarh-based multi-designer store Soh-Koh in Sector 26 to retail her footwear. “I believe that just like people fall under different Zodiac signs,footwear has to complement as well,” says Mehrotra. Her collection comprises shoes that best suit a person’s sun sign. “For instance,the shoes for Cancerians are in white,keeping in mind the fact that their lucky stone is pearl. On the other hand,the shoes for Leos are flamboyant and in shades of gold,to suit their fiery personality,” says the designer. At Soh-Koh,she is also offering customised footwear. “It’s my range of Astro shoes. We look at a client’s birth chart and design shoes in the colour and fabric that is good for them,” adds Mehrotra,who also designs shoes with invisible heels for vertically challenged men.

Damage: Rs 8,000 upwards.

USP: Novelty shoes with astrological benefits!