The collection includes trendy flip-flops, sliders, and sandals in a variety of vibrant colors. These footwear options are crafted to offer comfort and durability, catering to active children who want their footwear to reflect their adventurous spirit.

Priced between Rs 200 and Rs 1,349, the collection is both affordable and high-quality.

The new range is available at Relaxo stores nationwide and online at the brand’s official website.

Incorporated in 1984, Relaxo is India’s largest footwear manufacturer and is ranked among the top 500 Most Valuable Companies. A Fortune 500 (India) company, Relaxo is known for its quality products and affordable prices. It manufactures slippers, sandals, and sports and casual shoes. The company has a pan-India distribution network and operates over 400 retail outlets, with products available on major e-commerce platforms and large format stores.

“We wanted to create a collection that captured the essence of summer – carefree, joyful, and full of life,” says Tanushri Biyani, Founder, Anaar. “The ‘Citruses by the Sea’ collection is perfect for those who want to express their unique style and comfortably embrace the warm weather.”

The collection includes the ‘Cool Blues Collection,’ which features denim canvases with intricate embroidery and floral motifs, and the ‘Sunny and Citrusy Collection,’ characterized by white fabrics and blush satin with embroidered butterflies, dragonflies, and blooms. Additionally, the ‘Staples from Naples Collection’ offers a relaxed yet polished style inspired by the Italian Riviera.

Anaar offers a variety of footwear that blends classic elements with contemporary design, including platform heels, wedges, pumps, bridal sneakers, and sandals. The brand is known for its versatile designs that cater to different tastes and occasions.

“This season, we’re taking everyone on holiday,” says designer Michael Kors. “It’s about the transcendent joy of getting away. And for me, there’s nothing in the world like an escape to Capri, which has style, history and breathtaking nature.”

In the Spring/Summer 2024 collection, Kors presents a streamlined romance through short and leggy silhouettes as well as soft, floor-sweeping designs. The selection includes fluid goddess gowns, side-slashed skirts, and breezy caftans. Empire dresses with raised waistlines, flowing chiffon and lace skirts paired with sleek bodysuits dominate the collection. The campaign showcases makeup tints, crisp black and white, and glimmering metallic tones. The images highlight an array of flat shoes, from barely there sandals to strappy gladiators, complemented by an artisanal hand-woven bucket bag inspired by Jane Birkin’s iconic style. For the jet-setter, the collection features ready-to-travel messenger bags, shoulder bags, and accessories.

The global campaign is set to premiere on social media platforms, digital outlets, and traditional outdoor media placements. Select spring issues will also feature print ads, bringing the allure of Michael Kors’ Spring/Summer 2024 Collection to fashion enthusiasts worldwide.

Michael Kors, an acclaimed designer of luxury accessories and ready-to-wear, unveils a diverse range of products under Michael Kors Collection, MICHAEL Michael Kors, and Michael Kors Mens. From accessories and ready-to-wear to footwear, wearable technology, watches, and fragrances, Michael Kors’ namesake company, established in 1981, is synonymous with luxury and style. With digital flagships across North America, Europe, and Asia, Michael Kors offers customers a seamless omni-channel experience, showcasing his creations in the most prestigious cities worldwide.

“We are delighted to inaugurate Sparx’s experience store, that would offer unparalleled convenience and choice to our customers. This milestone underscores Relaxo’s strategic shift towards premium categories, demonstrating our focus on driving positive change in the footwear industry. With Sparx, we are turning the journey of buying footwear into an experience,” Ramesh Kumar Dua, Managing Director, Relaxo Footwears Ltd said.

The Sparx Experience Store allows customers to visit and hand-pick their desired pair of shoes, which are then swiftly delivered to any location in Delhi/NCR, reflecting the brand’s dedication to seamless shopping and doorstep product delivery.

“The experience store will showcase the finest selection of Sparx products under one roof, providing an interactive experience for the youth to connect with our brand. Overall, this would set the standards high for footwear buying experience in the industry,” Gaurav Dua, Executive Director, Relaxo Footwears Ltd said.

As Sparx ventures into the premium footwear vertical, the brand reaffirms its emphasis on excellence. The experience store reflects Relaxo’s relentless commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and innovation. By expanding its product portfolio and enhancing the retail experience, Sparx aims to elevate its brand presence and cater to the evolving preferences of consumers.

Established in 1984, Relaxo has been serving the nation for four decades. It is ranked among the top 500 Most Valuable Companies and is known for its quality products and affordable prices. Relaxo offers a wide range of footwear including slippers, sandals, sports shoes, and casual shoes under popular brands like Relaxo, Sparx, Flite, and Bahamas. With a PAN India distribution footprint, Relaxo operates a network of over 350 retail outlets and is available on all major e-commerce portals and large-format stores. Additionally, its brands are supplied to large government institutions domestically and exported globally.

At the same time, leather industry is also a major contributor of pollution. One cannot forget nauseating black smoke, an overwhelming pungent stink in the air and the sight of a snow like white foam drifting across fields and water canals in Jajmau, the industrial suburb in Kanpur that houses close to 400 leather tanneries. The Leather industry releases large amounts toxic chemicals and acidic effluents which make their way into the sacred river Ganges. Kanpur is just one example. Just imagine the pollution caused by leather industry across the nation!

Keeping in mind long term effects, several companies which produce leather-based products like bags, footwear etc are switching to alternatives for genuine leather called synthetic leather.

Rise in Demand of Vegan Products

The trend towards ethical and sustainable products has led to a rise in demand for vegan footwear made from synthetic or plant-based materials, rather than leather or other animal products due to its affordability, durability, and eco-friendliness. Artificial leather, sometimes referred to as synthetic leather is a man-made material that resembles real leather in appearance and feel but is comprised of synthetic materials like polyurethane or PVC.

• Since, India is one of the largest footwear consumer and producer markets in the world, the size of the synthetic leather market in India is set to grow by $ 1,590.53 million between 2022 and 2027 and register a CAGR of 7.96%, according to Technavio’s latest market research report estimates.
• The Global vegan footwear market size is estimated at $157,898.2 million in 2020. It is expected to reach $3,199.6 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2021 to 2030 as per another report.

According to various estimates, the vegan leather market worldwide will expand to nearly $90 billion by 2025, while the overall vegan fashion market will reach $837 billion by 2030.

Vegan Leather

Vegan leather, also known as faux leather, artificial leather or synthetic leather, is a type of material that is designed to mimic the look and feel of real leather but is made from synthetic or plant-based materials instead of animal hides. Traditional leather is typically made from the hides of cows, pigs, goats, or sheep, and the production process involves treating the hides with various chemicals and dyes to create the desired texture and color leading to the slaughter of billions of animals every year.

Even raising livestock for leather products is detrimental to the environment as raising cattle for its skin also results in the destruction of forests and the production of greenhouse gases like methane which is considered worse than carbon dioxide as per several experts.

However, vegan leather can be made from a variety of materials, including polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), recycled plastics, cork, pineapple leaves, mushrooms, and even apples. These materials can be processed and treated to create a texture and appearance that is similar to real leather.

Several brands, institutes and companies are working towards creating their own versions of artificial leather. Recently scientists and researchers from the CSIR-CLRI (Council for Scientific & Industrial Research- Central Leather Research Institute) in Chennai have developed a type of vegan leather from mangoes. Similarly a Kanpur based start-up called Phool has created an alternative to animal leather from flowers.

India is already a home to several vegan leather footwear brands like Malai, Happpy Sole, Senso, Paio, Monkstory etc. Internationally too, several brands have started creating an impact including Alkind shoes (UK), Matt and Nat shoes (Canada), Nae shoes (Portugal), Bhava (US).

The list seems endless as we have entered a golden age of cruelty-free leather and leather-based items that consider both animal welfare and environmental issues.

Factors for Rise in Demand

The growing demand for artificial leather and sustainable products in India has led to the development of a thriving industry. Indian manufacturers are producing a wide range of artificial leather products, including fashion accessories (bags, footwear etc), furniture, and automotive upholstery. The artificial leather industry in India has created employment opportunities for thousands of people, helped farmers and has contributed to the country’s economy and also has numerous environmental benefits

According to Shweta Nimkar, Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Paio, their brand is PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) approved vegan footwear. On vegan leather quality she explained that it was deficient in quality 5-6 years ago, colours would fade and material would peel over a year. The industry has managed to overcome these material challenges today. With a wide variety of colours and textures available there is no limit to what is achievable.

India is a country with large population of vegetarian people, hence there is a huge demand for animal-free leather footwear. Many brands have responded to this trend by offering more vegan footwear options, including sneakers, sandals, boots, and dress shoes.

Vegan leather production is less resource-intensive and has a lower environmental impact compared to traditional leather. It is also free from animal cruelty and its production requires less water and energy.

On demand of vegan leather, Nimkar added, “Vegan leather perceptions have changed over the years. Consumers are aware of the harmful effect of leather not only on the environment but even on the animals used for leather production. With growing knowledge and awareness, most consumers have mindfully shifted their beliefs and choices to purchase more sustainable and conscious production. The demand for vegan footwear has grown by over 7% CAGR over the last 5 years and is expected to be a market size of $300,199.6 million by 2030.”

Finally, vegan leather can also be more affordable than traditional leather, making it a popular choice for those who want the look and feel of leather without the high cost. Artificial leather is also easier to maintain as it is resistant to stains. This durability has made artificial leather a popular choice for products compared to genuine leather products that are subject to wear and tear.

According to various market reports and analyses, the women’s segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment in the vegan footwear market. “This is primarily due to the demand of vegan footwear options for women in the market, as well as the growing awareness and preference for sustainable and ethical fashion choices among female consumers,” says Veena Ashiya, Founder Monrow Shoes.

Challenges

One of the challenges facing the artificial leather industry in India is the quality of the products. To address this challenge, the Indian government has introduced regulations to ensure that artificial leather products meet certain quality standards. Manufacturers are required to obtain certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards before they can sell their products in the market.

Indian manufacturers are investing in research and development to produce high-quality artificial leather products that meet the needs of consumers.

Another challenge is competition from genuine leather products. While artificial leather is more affordable and eco-friendly than genuine leather, there are still consumers who prefer the look and feel of genuine leather. To address this challenge, Indian manufacturers are producing high-quality artificial leather that looks and feels like genuine leather. This has helped to increase the popularity of artificial leather among consumers who are looking for a more affordable and eco-friendly alternative to genuine leather.

Indian manufacturers are investing in research and development to produce high-quality artificial leather products that meet the needs of consumers. Additionally, the Indian government is providing support to the industry through initiatives such as Make in India, which aims to promote domestic manufacturing. The footwear sector in India is now de-licensed and de-reserved, paving the way for growth of capacities on modern lines with state-of-the-art machinery. To further assist this process, the government has permitted 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) through the automatic route for the footwear sector. 

Conclusion

According to a report, the footwear industry in India contributes about two percent to India’s overall GDP along with employing two million workers, making the sector one of the top employment generators in the country. As demand for sustainable and cruelty-free fashion continues to grow, we can expect to see more products made from vegan leather in the future and not only footwear. Due to factors like breathability, durability, and aesthetic quality of vegan footwear, some footwear producers are uncertain about its long-term market presence.

Despite its advantages for the environment, these factors might prevent its widespread implementation. However, with more research funding and greater public awareness surrounding bio-based leather created from plant and food waste, there is a substantial market opportunity. This is a significant opportunity for the sector to fund this eco-friendly substitute.