Sole shoppers

The new range of high-end luxury shoes that are finally coming to Indian markets.

In the fairytale story of Cinderella, her shoes were ultimately her ticket to Prince Charming. In real life, even though shoes might not get you your prince or princess, flaunting the best brands in the world is still bound to make heads turn.

So it's lucky that, as the luxury market in India expands beyond clothes and accessories, we now have the best high-end imported footwear to slip our feet into, and can feel snug in its patent leather and suede, hand-craftsmanship and high-fi shoe technology.

Where Cinderella's shoes were made-to-order for her feet by her fairy godmother, Ecco, the world's second-largest casual footwear brand, now available in India, has similar thoughts "" shoes that fit your feet and not vice versa.

Its golf shoes are rated the best in the world, and can be picked up for Rs 26,999. "We are not only premium, we also give value-added features," says Sumit K Lal, director, Ecco India Trading, adding that "Ecco shoes are made from an Ecco patented receptor technology that lets the shoes take the shape of the feet."

The expensive range of golf shoes (Rs 10,399-30,000) boasts features like a unique sole technology and internal stabiliser for vital support during the golf swing.

It is made of genuine leather, and is waterproof, with an anatomical heel for a customised non-slip fit. And Lal is confident that "Ecco is not only the best, it just cannot be copied."

Currently available at retail outlets like Shoetree and Regal, Ecco plans to launch a two-floor exclusive store by February in Delhi that will house all 300 Ecco shoe styles. Currently, the brand has 40- odd casual and formal styles in India, ranging from Rs 7,349 to Rs 18,000. 

HOW THE SHOE FITS
Ecco Shoes
Ecco Activa (casual)	Rs 7,849 onwards
Ecco Century (formal)	Rs 10,299 onwards
Ecco Ventura (sandals)	Rs 7,369 onwards
Ecco World Class (golf shoes)	Rs 26,999
Aigner
Men	Rs 10,000-18,000
Women	Rs 10,000-15,000
Boots	Rs 18,000
Louis Vuitton
Men and Women
Formal	Rs 40,000
Casual	Rs 21,000

"We are selling five pairs per Ecco point per day now," says Lal. Though only golf shoes for women are available right now in India at a special price of Rs 6,339 to Rs 10,299 (the lowest priced Ecco ladies golf shoes available in the world), the full range will be displayed at the concept store.

"At the concept store, new styles launched by Ecco every two months will be available 25 days in advance, before they even hit the fashion capitals of the world. We will have it no other way for Ecco," says Lal.

As for haute couture heels and soles, the Paris and Munich labels of Louis Vuitton and Aigner are hard to miss. "At Aigner," says Rachika Narayan, brand manager, Aigner, "We sell particular themes, the complete coordinated look for shoes with belts and wallets for men and bags for women."

Acclaimed craftsmanship combined with exotic leather like elk or calfskin, the Aigner footwear range between Rs 10,000-18,000 for men and Rs 10,000-15,000 for women, and with boots for women at Rs 18,000, is modified for India but is "definitely the current trend", according to Narayan.

Also, Narayan sees that Aigner, known for its wild colours, is doing well. "Orange suede slip-ons for men sold well. People are ready to experiment with colours and styles and new brands," says Narayan, suggesting the new look of the season "" wild reptile prints embossed on calf leather in exotic aqua colours, and lilac and beige for women, is garnering considerable attention.

Louis Vuitton, known for its bags and accessories, has started focusing on the luxury shoe market as well, bringing its latest autumn-winter 2005-06 collection to its boutique stores in India.

The LV label has a casual, elegant line for men's footwear this season, and is inspired by the artistic world of 1950s eastern Europe. The collection includes round-toed moccasins with pompons in suede calfskin, ostrich leather for everyday wear, raised grain patent leather with a moire bow or pompons in suede or patent leather for evening wear, and the absolute must "" high pointed boots with a bohemian look.

Along with Oxford sports shoes in kangaroo leather, the range for its sneakers is built around Rs 21,000 to Rs 40,000 for men's formal shoes.

LV goes back in time again for its ladies collection, inspired by the Viennese ballets of the 1920s, available in materials like lizard, python, ostrich and suede goatskin, often with a gleam of gold or colourful gemstones. Its ready-to-wear collection is available in a similar price range as the men's collection.

The Indian client has tuned in to international styles and fashion trends, making most high-end luxury brands stock their stores in India with styles at par with style ranges available worldwide.

Narayan of Aigner feels that, "The luxury market is at a nascent stage and it will be interesting to watch more luxury brands set up shop in India." Clearly, the market is warming up for the Indian consumer to play footsie with high-end luxury shoes, and indulge their temptations for style and, of course, comfort.