Peshawari Chappal:The Tune of Peshawar Being Whistled in Europe

They say imitation is the best form of flattery. Sir Paul Smith – a renowned British menswear designer – sure has seemed to dole out a barrelful of hearty praise on our Peshawari Chappal by taking its time-worn shoe design and entirely refurbishing its image. The latest presentation from the house of Paul Smith to its European shoppers is as quoted on their website,

“Men’s high-shine black leather sandals with neon pink trimmings inspired by the Peshawari chappal.”

The last part was not originally added to the description initially, but once the design came out and word starting going around, Pakistanis locals were bewilderingly amused by what was quite simply a re-creation of the traditional Kheri.

Note to Servis, Bata and English Boot House: You’ve just been had — big time http://t.co/lif9eflu5x

— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) March 10, 2014

@damonwake Naturally. Best breakdown yet: £15 for the chappal; £285 for the pink stripe

— Declan Walsh (@declanwalsh) March 10, 2014

The original design relates to footwear that Pashtuns used to wear and is a common sight throughout our country. The sandal design which is priced at a whopping 300 pounds, estimated to be around Rs. 50,000 in local currency, in the Paul Smith stores is easily available for Rs. 1,500-2,000 in any Pakistani shop hosting a strong brand name. Out in the open markets, especially in the streets of Peshawar, you can probably find a sturdy pair for a mere Rs. 250-500. A far cry from what Europeans will be dishing out for a design deemed ‘out-dated’ and ‘unfashionable’ in Pakistani markets.

The Peshawari chappal that Paul Smith were selling, without crediting the design to Pakistan. Photo from Paulsmith.co.uk : Dawn.com

Asking local shoe makers for their take on the matter, most were surprised at the prominence it has gained. Paul Smith is a brand of reckoning and it can put up a hefty price tag and still drive sales on the worth of its name. But taking a design from Peshawar and not even attributing credit from the outset seemed like a cheap shot. On the other hand, there is something to be said about the timelessness of the design of the Peshawari chappal that it still managed to catch the eye of such an eminent designer. The local manufacturers have long since moved on from this traditional design in face of slumping demand. Older men might ask for a pair on the rare occasion, otherwise these chappals have lost the popularity they once enjoyed in our country.

Buy Peshawari Chappal at AdClout

Peshawari chappal is worn by men casually or formally, usually with the traditional Shalwar Kameez dress. Their manufacture and design were driven by comfort and practicality. The word chappal itself means flip-flops in the local language of the Pakhtunkhwa region. Will this beloved chappal witness a rebirth in the global market at the hands of Paul Smith’s revamping? Now that due credit has been accorded to its haloed origins, we look forward to the Peshawari chappal going a long way in the global play field. Resurgence in its demand back home would not come off as much of a surprise. However, local manufacturers should definitely consider stepping in as alternate suppliers with a significant price differential to provide foreign buyers with the original product and capitalize on this opportunity to expand their customer base.