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“Look at someone’s shoes and you’ll know the person.” -Mark Twain, Author. The shoes a person wears speak a lot about them- from their profession and financial status to their personality and identity. But what about the shoes a person creates? In the current times where sustainability is stepping into all industries, fashion isn’t left far behind. We spoke to the founder of one such footwear brand that is revolutionising the industry one shoe at a time. Meet Malvika Agarwal, founder of Chal Shoes, is an industrial designer by profession and passionate about creating functional and eco-friendly footwear.
Malvika's inspiration struck when she returned to India after her time in the United States. As she explored the market as an industrial designer, she questioned why Indian design always sought upgrades from the West. Intrigued by the rich heritage of Indian handcraft and materials, Malvika embarked on a mission to challenge the status quo and offer sustainable options to consumers.
Through her work with various industries and organisations like Creative Dignity, Malvika delved deeper into materials and their impact on fashion. She experimented with a range of eco-friendly alternatives, including pineapple leather, mushroom leather, and vegan leather. However, she realised that most of these materials were sourced from distant locations, contributing to carbon footprints. This realisation prompted Malvika to explore local waste materials, leading her to discover discarded tires and textiles.
“Around two lakh tires are dumped in India every week. And there are more such materials that go to waste because of small wear and tear. That became our starting point to source materials for the shoes we make.” Malvika recognised the potential of repurposing these discarded tires into durable shoe soles. By collaborating with local artisans and segregating the usable parts of the tires, she ensured the waste was transformed into functional components of her footwear. Chal Shoes has collaborated with Iro Iro, another zero-waste and environment-conscious brand, to source the best materials.
But how do you turn waste into shoes with the existing process was a big question. Hence, Malvika decided to experiment with the process itself. She innovated the traditional process of shoe-making to adapt to the materials and create shoes that are good for the feet and good for the environment. Apart from tyre waste, Malvika sourced textile waste locally as well. Working closely with artisans, she used cotton threads to revamp discarded cotton textiles, prioritising natural materials over synthetic ones. Biodegradable leather was also incorporated into her designs for its durability and ability to conform to the shape of the foot.
“The last evolution that happened in the footwear industry was in the 1940s with the distinct left and right shoe, before that, it was the same for both feet. And there’s a lot that can be done.” Malvika's commitment to sustainability extended beyond materials. She challenged traditional shoe designs and questioned the need for uncomfortable footwear, especially for women. By prioritising comfort and functionality, she sought to create shoes that women could wear without compromising their well-being. Her designs, inspired by Japanese Tabi socks and traditional desert mojari shoes, aimed to provide both comfort and style.
“The creative process at Chal Shoes involves a combination of science, functionality, and aesthetics. I want to make shoes that are comfortable and fit the needs of modern women. And with every shoe that I create, I want to tell a story.” While drawing inspiration from existing designs, Malvika introduced innovative elements to enhance comfort and ensure a unique customer experience. The artistic side of her work focused on colours and storytelling, engaging customers through aesthetics that challenged conventional fashion norms.
“SciArt is a new perspective, where the knowledge of science is taking us forward while aiding the art to tell new stories. And I feel, sometimes science should be treated like art. It is all about making the optimal use of all the resources. With AI coming in, it is aiding the art world which makes me feel that SciArt is the only thing going forward.” Malvika’s take on SciArt and how bringing the two are opening up avenues for new possibilities.
Among the whole debacle of AI replacing humans in several sectors, Malvika feels it is only going to broaden the horizon and create more possibilities- “I don’t see AI posing as a competitor or challenge. In fact, we can now churn out 3D designs faster which makes the process more efficient and faster. Technology can only be a helping hand, we just need to know how to optimally use it.”
While the debate on AI taking over the world continues to go on, Malvika is a firm believer in using it to tell stories, one shoe at a time.
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