The Craftmanship - Kolhapuris
Kolhapuri (pronounced kohl-aa-poo-ree) chappals (the Indian word for sandals), is a type of Indian footwear, that has a rich history dating back to the 13th century.
Originating in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, they were initially made in villages surrounding the city by skilled artisans.
These chappals gained popularity for their quality and design, becoming a cherished part of Indian footwear culture.
The original Kolhapuri is made from 100% leather. This leather can be from cow, buffalo, or even goat. These handmade leather footwear are then tanned using vegetable dyes, giving it a soft feel free of any allergens.
The traditional Kolhapuris do not have many different color options and can be seen only in shades of tan and deep brown. Similarly, they had three finishes - oil, natural, or polish.
Traditional artisans can take up to six weeks to make a pair of chappals. When maintained well, Kolhapuri chappals will last a lifetime!
Currently, there are about 5633 units manufacturing Kolhapuri chappals in and around Kolhapur. There are close to 22500 artisans who are contributing to the Kolhapuri chappal industry.
Both men and women work in synergy and have their work divided.
As the male workers focus on cutting, seasoning leather, and fitting, women work on designing the upper belts and sole-stitching.
While we think of them as fashion piece that is part of our wardrobe, these artisans spend weeks crafting these chappals to make them more comfortable, stylish, and durable.
Beyond the craftsmanship, this is why we believe Kolhapuris chappals have stood the test of time.
This footwear design, despite its age can pair itself with a casual outfit as well as occasional party wear
They do not cause any injury to the feet
There are no hard materials, no nails or any other sharp objects used in the manufacturing of these chappals
The entire chappal is pounded and hand stitched together with leather
Handcrafted with leather, Kolhapuri’s usually have open-toed, T-strap designs.
