Malvika Agarwal_Chal Shoes Handcrafted with Heart: Chal Shoes’ Dedication to Sustainable Materials, Community Collaboration, and Timeless Design
In recent years, the Indian footwear market has witnessed a significant shift towards sustainability. As per Maximize Market Research and Future Market Insights, the key trends in footwear are sustainable materials, comfort-focused designs, and eco-friendly innovations. Indian consumers are becoming increasingly eco-conscious, driving the demand for sustainable materials like recycled plastics, organic cotton, and biodegradable substances. With growing awareness about foot health, consumers are opting for comfort-focused designs, such as ergonomic shoes and sneakers.
MOSAIC: We’re thrilled to have Malvika Agarwal, Founder of Chal Shoes, share her inspiring story with us. Malvika, what sparked the creation of Chal Shoes, and how does sustainability define your brand’s mission?
Malvika Agarwal: I started Chal Shoes with sustainability at its core, recognizing it as the need of the hour. As I probed deeper, I gained an adequate understanding of carbon footprints and the importance of choosing the right materials. At Chal Shoes, we strive to blend high craftsmanship with customization, ensuring each pair is valuable in the long run. We believe true sustainability lies in longevity – owning and cherishing a product for a lifetime.
MOSAIC: What are some common myths and misconceptions about sustainable footwear?
Malvika Agarwal: Many assume vegan automatically means sustainable, but that’s not always the case. Vegan leather, for instance, often contains plastic-based components that don’t biodegrade, making it less sustainable. Since our brand focuses on sustainability, customers often assume we’re entirely vegan. While many of our products are – thanks to our use of handloom fabrics and thread embroidery – when it comes to leather, we choose ethically sourced real leather because it’s durable, high-quality, and biodegradable.
MOSAIC: Who is the Chal Shoes consumer?
Malvika Agarwal: Our customers value sustainability and fairness. They’re self-made individuals who appreciate products that align with their values. They seek footwear that enables them to move forward every day – both literally and figuratively – while making mindful consumption choices for the long term.
MOSAIC: What materials do you use, and how do they contribute to sustainability?
Malvika Agarwal: We work with handloom fabrics like Kala cotton woven in Kutch, hemp fabrics, organic cotton, block-printed canvas, and ethically sourced leather. We also collaborate with refugee women artisans, training them in material manipulation, while our shoes are crafted by local shoemakers with generations of expertise.
MOSAIC: Do your designs incorporate Indian craftsmanship or traditional techniques?
Malvika Agarwal: Yes, all our designs are deeply rooted in Indian sensibilities, but we modernize them to create contemporary, gender-neutral footwear. Today’s Indian consumers are global citizens who want their heritage reflected in what they wear. We aim to design for that modern identity – where tradition meets innovation.
MOSAIC: In any way the international trends or cross-cultural practices have played an influence on your approach to sustainable footwear?
Malvika Agarwal: Absolutely. The global movement towards upcycling and high-craftsmanship sustainability has been inspiring. We have an entire collection dedicated to upcycled materials and non-binary aesthetics, embracing these international trends while staying true to our brand ethos.
MOSAIC: What sustainable steps do you take to reduce waste, emissions, or water usage in the Chal Shoes production process?
Malvika Agarwal: We follow a made-to-order model, ensuring zero overproduction and unnecessary inventory waste. We prioritize low-impact materials, such as jute, which consume minimal water while being incredibly durable.
MOSAIC: Do you have any take-back old products, recycling, or upcycling programs to promote circularity?
Malvika Agarwal: Yes, we recently launched a denim collection made from discarded jeans sourced from our community. We’re always on the lookout for durable materials that can be upcycled into new designs.
MOSAIC: It is also important to keep educating and encouraging the audience on sustainable choices, how do you educate customers about the benefits of choosing sustainable footwear over fast fashion alternatives?
Malvika Agarwal: We ensure our shoes are of such high quality that customers naturally gravitate toward them. We also offer free repairs on wear and tear, encouraging long-term use and reducing waste. Our shoes speak sustainability both by look and in process and in function, however, there is emphasis in growing customer knowledge on pro-environement footwear.
MOSAIC: Are you considering any specific campaigns, influencer collaborations, or celebrity endorsements?
Malvika Agarwal: We don’t engage in paid influencer marketing. However, many influencers have organically reached out to collaborate with us, which has been invaluable in spreading our message as a small business.
MOSAIC: What innovative materials or technologies are you exploring to enhance sustainability in your footwear?
Malvika Agarwal: We’re actively working on upcycling tyre waste and exploring more efficient ways to transform it into high-quality soles.
MOSAIC: Where do you see Chal Shoes in the next 5–10 years, both in India and globally?
Malvika Agarwal: As a made-to-order brand, we hope to encourage a return to bespoke shoemaking – where shoes are crafted specifically for each individual rather than mass-produced for fleeting trends. Our vision is to see more people investing in quality, custom footwear that lasts longer and reduces repeat purchasing and impact on the environement.