Everything you wanted to know about Crimzon

Most great ideas are born as solutions to a problem. Designer Sonali Dalwani’s dilemma was simple: she wanted to bridge the gaping void that existed in the Indian accessory market by creating the perfect union of indigenous aesthetics and international finesse. At a time when there was a serious dearth of high quality women’s shoes and bags, Crimzon emerged as a revolutionary brand in 2003.

A love affair with shoes

It all began when Sonali fell in love with the beautiful pairs of shoes splashed across glossy magazine pages she would flip through at the CCI Library in Mumbai as a young girl. She also grew up keenly observing her mother’s collection of shoes, which included every possible colour in a plethora of styles. From leaf-green to burgundy, there was a pair for every occasion! At the age of 18, Dalwani realized she had indeed developed a strong predilection towards all things footwear. She couldn’t wait to own her very own maiden pair of heels, but as there were no pumps available in India, she had to wait for her aunt to bring her these from Singapore.

Walking into the footwear industry

In 1989, Sonali started working with an export house that created embroideries for French and Italian fashion houses, followed by a stint with a company that manufactured women’s shoes for the European market. Her early years saw her working in close quarters with prominent names in the international luxury industry like Karl Lagerfeld, Mary McFadden, Pons Quintana and Emanuel Ungaro. She further enhanced her skills with a shoe-sculpting course from the prestigious Arsutoria School in Milan and New York.

After five years creating footwear for the European market, Dalwani noticed the absence of homegrown footwear of international quality for Indian women. She quit her job and launched Crimzon in 2003. Her vision was clear — handcrafting comfortable women’s shoes that were also individualistic. It was all about adding an Indian flair to western styles, not just to women’s footwear but also bags.

In 2009, Crimzon showcased their Egyptian collection at Lakme Fashion Week – a significant milestone for the brand, as it was our first ever fashion show. The line was created in leather and drew inspiration from the Egyptian Goddess, Isis. Elements like digital prints and embellishments such as turquoise, lapiz, orange onyx, 24K gold fittings, enamel, and meenakari made an appearance on the runway.

Our second LFW stint was in 2011 with the ‘Pappion’ collection that featured a riot of bright colours like electric blue, grassy green and fuschia. 3D butterflies and laser-cut applique were added on to clogs and mules while ribbons were woven into bags and shoes. Earrings with tassels, beads and pompoms completed the showcase.

The journey thus far

Today, Crimzon continues to merge traditional opulence with contemporary designs and superior quality. Each design is meticulously created for the confident and practical modern woman who knows her mind. Our equal focus on style and comfort has won the brand the patronage of celebrities like Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra, Madhuri Dixit-Nene and Dipannita Sharma. Our constant endeavour is to innovate and change the game. 2018 will see the launch of our luxe, walk easy, footwear accessories and bespoke bridal collections as well.

Sonali’s personal minimalistic sense of style is evident in her creations. As a proud of owner of over 70 pairs of shoes, Sonali knows what it takes to create shoes for Indian women that are as versatile as they are wearable!

Shop our signature footwear collections here.