This post is also available in: العربية (Arabic) اردو (Urdu)
Louboutin and Pakistan? That’s a first and apparently, the fashion powerhouse came out with new footwear that at first glance in the picture looked very much like a Peshawari Chappal and to our surprise it was. Louboutin posted on his Instagram showing off the brand’s new sandals that were called “Imran” and I am sure most of you thought it’s Imran Khan but that wasn’t the personality that Louboutin got the inspiration from. In fact, it was named after a friend of his who is a contemporary artist by the name Imran Qureshi.
This Tweet Says Something Else
The sandals are named after "Imran Khan" and not Imran Qureshi. I got someone to call up the Christian Louboutin Headquarter in New York to confirm it. https://t.co/mVPMCHosis
— Mariam's Madness (@mariamsmadness) March 25, 2019
Sandals Caused Social Media Frenzy And Pakistanis Called Out The Cultural Appropriation
Louboutin’s take on the traditional Pashtun Sandals was quite flashy and loud. The sandals were decked out with metal studs and there were splashes of orange and silver. Peshawari chappals have their own charm and sophistication if I may add, with two leather strips in a cross and a small heel with rubber sole- A shoe staple in everyone’s collection.
Pakistanis called him out on his cultural appropriation and although a good chunk of people celebrated the recognition many disapproved. This caused Louboutin to remove his post and made the efforts to show his point of view; which can be summarized as “Inspiration and a Tribute.”
His explanation was along the lines of “love for embellishments from different cultures”, “My designs often pay tributes to artisanship, craftsmanship, traditions or various cultures”, “The world and its diversity has always been the core of my work.” and was sorry to offend some people. The Louboutin shoes normally cost from $500 and above and these sandals cost a measly $5 or less in Pakistan. Rest assured Pakistanis are sorted with the original Peshawari sandals that won’t cost them a fortune.
Kamiar Rokni, a Pakistani designer praised Louboutin for his creation and tried to make everyone understand from a designer’s perspective.
“When you visit different parts of the world, you do get inspired… and that seeps into your design,” said Rokni.
On Another News Chacha Noor Din Boast Proudly How These Chappals Became Famous
“I made chappals for Imran Khan when he was holding the protests in Islamabad… that’s why it has become famous and people overwhelmingly like them,” explains Chacha Noor Din. Prime Minister Imran Khan is a loyal customer of his and that’s why Chacha Noor named a version of the shoe after him. These comfortable shoes are a savior for men and women in the summer heat. So although traditionally associated with the Pashtun community, it is a popular shoe around the country and every man seem to be the owner of at least one pair.
So would you support the designer and agree with Kamiar that every designer gets inspired by the places they travel to and from within they create pieces that depict their tributes to those places, culture, and traditions or you’re on the other side of the argument? Comment below.
