Why Kolhapuris may soon become a rage in the UAE

There's no question that summer is right here. For me, footwear is often a cause of concern during this time of the year. I don't particularly enjoy the straps of Greek-style sandals and think espadrilles look rather clunky. However, ever since I was a young girl, I loved the look of 'Kolhapuri chappals', which literally translates into slippers made in Kolhapur, which is a city in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The t-bar gives them strength, while the toe ring style offers a casual look and the braided detailing makes them seem so delicate and dainty. They look distinctly Indian. I team up these chappals with a short summer dress, a pair of shorts or jeans - it adds an ethnic boho twist to anything you wear. The only problem I have ever faced with chappals is that they take so long to break into that I tend to give up on them.
But then, last year, I came across a brand called The Sole Sisters, and immediately got myself three pairs of Kolhapuri chappals. If I could, I would live in them. It is believed that the royal family of Kolhapur was among their very first patrons. But it was during the British Raj - especially in 1920s - that these slippers became a fashion statement. Back then, the shoe store to go to in order to buy a Kolhapuri chappal was South Mumbai's J.J & Sons (it's very much around even now). My grandmother would buy all her shoes from this store. Originally made from buffalo hide, goatskin strips were used for the straps and braided details. Since they are handmade, Kolhapuri chappals are truly a work of craft. Earlier, these would be available in natural leather brown colours, but now they come in metallic and other hues as well.
What The Sole Sisters has got right is that they have contemporised the designs and played with colours. Their two-tone Kolhapuri chappals command a popularity of their own. The company was started by Chondamma Cariappa about four years ago. A former advertising professional, she'd started an e-community for shoes called The Sole Sisters. Since she always had a love for the Kolhapuri, Chondamma decided to try her hand at making a contemporary form of these - and now the brand's shoes are available at stores like Good Earth and Ogaan in India; they were also available last year at Dubai Mall's Level Shoes as part of their "Dear India" campaign. Now, the Dubai-based High Tide Showroom has started working with the brand, and soon it will be available here. High Tide specialises in resort labels and has been successful in taking its brands to London's Selfridges and Dubai's Bloomingdale's. Indian author Shobhaa De and actress Sonam Kapoor have given the brand their vote of confidence, and I can't wait to see who the first UAE-based influencer will be to flaunt Kolhapuris on their social media page. There's also good news for the ethically conscious: Chondamma does a vegan version of these slippers with khadi and rubber.
Leading Indian designers Tarun Tahiliani and Malini Ramani have already got their models to do catwalks in heeled versions of this slipper, and I am sure it's only a matter of time before a Paris- or a London-based shoe label turns to Kolhapuri chappals for inspiration. By the way, Madonna, it seems, is already a convert as she is believed to own at least one pair of Kolhapuris.
sujata@khaleejtimes.com