Our source in India found these wonderful Pula Chappal slippers a few weeks back and put together a little collection for us. They just landed in our showroom yesterday and we can tell already that they are going to sell out soon.

They also have a fascinating story.

Leather shoes made of cowhide were considered inappropriate for treading on the soil of Himachal Pradesh, a state in Northern India regarded as the land of the gods. Consequently the sacred grasses of shale (cannabis) were used to make pula chappal, the traditional footwear of the Paharis. These lightweight slippers are worn during religious ceremonies, within the temple precincts and to walk on snow.


Pula Chappal Slippers - $39.00 - In Store Only

Dried strips of cannabis grass or buckwheat stem are woven into a rope-like form and then strengthened by a process of twisting and stretching it. Five loops in increasing or decreasing size in relation to the toes are made from the prepared rope. Each rope is then tightened around the junction point of a t-shaped tool that is rotates at a great sped while holding the base of its stem.

The body of the chappal is made by intertwining very fine threads of grass spun on a spindle. In some instances, a decorative shoe upper is created with a blanket stitch and contrasting colors of wool. A simple system of hand measures is used to make different sizes.

Today, although the craft is chiefly practiced in the village of Chad, the market for pula chappal has spread to Rajastahan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and, of course, Pfeifer Studio.

Posted By: AJ (aj@pfeiferstudio.com)

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