PAIRED POWER

Taking cue from the quintessential Indian gentleman, a contemporary footwear brand expresses its design ethos through the use of unique material combinations and a dapper look.

- CHITMAN KANWAR AHUJA

It was in the wake of major trends for trainers and less formal work clothing that men began looking for a more versatile, comfortable and modern style of shoe design. They wanted dress shoes for formal and informal occasions that trod the middle ground between traditional oxfords and trainers, while still walking to a different beat. Herein, the dynamic duo of Abhishek Chopra and Sagar Sarin upped up the ante, and brought forth Churchill & Company. Since a successful career in footwear requires a breadth of creative, commercial and technical expertise, we speak to the non-conformists behind the label to understand the ideology behind the brand. Edited excerpts...

You both have come a long way from — Abhishek earning a business degree from Warvick, UK and Sagar working as a B-Tech engineer who dabbled in automobiles. Somehow, both of you were caught by the entrepreneurial bug. What made you want to start your own label?

Abhishek: I loved the classic style of dress shoes but always wanted shoes that were less regimented, and which could seamlessly work for every occasion. When Sagar and I did our research, we couldn’t find any suitable product that fits this description. We wanted shoes that were versatile in appeal yet modern in feel, which could take you from day to night without a hitch.

What is your design philosophy? What are the unique attributes that your label brings to the world of footwear?