To get things into the right perspective, let me first say that I am not a qualified shoe designer. I got into this line because of the sheer love and interest in design. Neither do these designs stem from prevailing trends in the industry. Like any artist, the designs are inspired by ideas. That is what shoe designing is all about. It’s an inspiration that creates various facets to the craft. I feel the American Indian or the Red Indian designs stand apart in their textures, feel and comfort.

These are original Red Indian designs that were done by them. Made from natural leather sourced from fallen animals. The skin was treated and excellent artisanship went into it. It was the traditional way of making footwear that one cannot mass produce. There was a lot of energy and love that went into each design, many embellishments like beads, feathers, etc that created their own texture and mood. The sheer comfort comes from the fact that they do not have a separate insole.

There is a photographer whose work in shoe or fleur design speaks volumes. French-born artist and photographer Michel Tcherevkoff. He’s not a shoemaker but he has taken images from nature. Various ecelectic unique shoes and footwear designs have been inspired using flowers and leaves. You can see some ethereal imagery where he flirts with natural elements to such amazing effect. That have inspired me too.

As told to Suruchi Kapur-Gomes