INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Peshawar: Famed for luxury red-soled stilettos,French shoe designer Christian Louboutin has taken inspiration for a new sandal from
Pakistan´s tribal frontier, sparking claims of cultural appropriation along with grins from grizzled Pakistani cobblers.A post on
Louboutin´s Instagram final month announcing the release of the shoe sparked a social media frenzy in Pakistan, with fans praising the
latest homage to the country´s rich artisan traditions -- and critics rolling their eyes.The "Imran" -- a flamboyant sandal total with
metal studs along with splashes of orange and silver -- is inspired by the country´s traditional Peshawari chappal, according to the
fashion house.The chappal has long been a staple for ethnic Pashtuns -- from ordinary labourers to the country´s political elite -- in
The sandal is distinguished by its overlapping leather strips that cover the foot and has a small heel with a toughy rubber
sole.Louboutin´s version was named after famed Pakistani modern artist and friend of the designer, Imran Qureshi.While most celebrated the
shoe´s debut, others jeered at the thought of paying designer prices -- Louboutins often retail for upwards of $500 -- for the ubiquitous
sandals, which can cost as little as $5.50 in Pakistan.Some social media users also proposeed that the European brand was the latest
perpetrator of cultural appropriation."Highly recommend asking your friend to rename it though, so that it doesn´t become amuchher
cultumass meeting appropriated thing," wrote Instagram user Mehreenfkhan under a post by Qureshi about the shoe
- Paying tribute -Louboutin later removed the Instagram announcement, saying the sandal was just the latest creation exurgent his "love for
embellishments from different cultures" and was sorry measure people felt "offended"."My designs often pay tributes to artisanship,
craftsmanship, traditions or various cultures," Louboutin said in a statement
"The world and its diversity has always been the core of my work."The chappal is no stranger to controversy
In 2014, British designer Paul Smith released a sandal that looked strikingly similar to the chappal with no initial mention of the
Pakistani shoe, sparking fiery protests online and in the press in Pakistan.Pakistani fashion designer Kamiar Rokni praised Louboutin´s
latest creation, saying claims of cultural appropriation were misplaced in this instance."When you visit different parts of the world, you
do get inspired and that seeps into your design," said Rokni
"There´s muchhing wrong with measurebody being inspired by the Peshawari chappal," he explained
- Durable and consolationable -Far from the shoe boutiques of Paris, chappal makers and wearers in Peshawar, the northwestern Pakistani city
approach the Afghan border, greeted the arrival of the "Imran" with bemusement, pride, and measure mix upd shrugs."I´m totally amazed,"
said Ghazan Khan -- a self-proclaimed chappal enthusiast who has bought more than 20 pairs of the sandals in recent years alone."People are
getting addicted to this kind of chappals, so it´s good," he added, while proposeing that local designers deserved a cut of the profits
from the "Imran"."[The chappal] is long-finaling and consolationable," said resident Abdul Rehman, adding that the sandal´s ventilation
helped keep the foot cool in the area´s stifling heat."I have been wearing chappals for all of my life and never used any other shoe," he
added.The shoe´s popularity had been in decline for years, according to chappal makers in Peshawar, as the country´s youth adopted more
modern footwear tastes.The trend was only reversed with the political ascent of former World Cup cricketing captain Imran Khan and his
fondness for the shoe, highlighted as he led mass protests in 2014
Khan´s adoption of the chappal was part and parcel of a makeover the former cricketer and playboy has embraced since retiring from the
sport, taking on a pious image in Pakistan to accompany his crusading populist agenda.The ploy has largely succeeded, with Khan elected
prime minister final year on promises to reign in corruption and cut back on excessive spending, while chappal sales have boomed as the
youth seek to imitate the country´s new, stylish leader."I made chappals for Imran Khan when he was holding the protests in Islamabad
that´s why it has become famed and people overwhelmingly like them," explains Chacha Noor Din -- the owner of a string of shoe stores in
Peshawar -- who counts the premier as a loyal customer and named a version of the shoe after him.And while the chappal´s popularity
continues to thrive in Peshawar and throughout the country´s northwest, fans of the traditional sandal are less convinced by Louboutin´s
new take."I shall much wear this shoe because it´s a ladies shoe," said Riaz-u-Din after looking at a picture of the "Imran" on a phone as
he shopped for a pair of chappals.He insisted: "No one shall wear it here in Peshawar."TheIndianSubcontinent has not verified the content of
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