New Delhi-based footwear and accessories designer Jeetinder Sandhu has been creating magic with his playful, edgy, and experimental shoes. From crafting adventurous heels to rethinking unexpected angular silhouettes to embellishing his come-hither evening pieces with metallic accents, Sandhu’s shoe canvas reflects his personal style.
An eclectic dresser himself, his body of work is a vibrant cornucopia of memories and recollections of places, people and ideas. Each collection is artfully interlaced into a new story, reflective of his own personal experiences. An alumnus of Istituto Marangoni, London, he pursued Masters in Accessory Design from Accademia Costume e Moda Rome. His multi-layered, well-rounded global exposure and education impacted his design process.
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“I have always viewed myself as a global citizen. And I have been lucky enough to travel the world from a young age. My experiences in London and Rome have also been instrumental in placing me where I am today professionally. However, I feel a lot of this also has to do with personal growth. I am a very curious person by nature and am always excited to try and experience new cultures, food, people, languages and life. I try to place myself in their shoes and see things from their perspective, which I feel also inspires and excites me to push my design narrative further,” says Sandhu.
Be it the innovative and design-forward perspective of London or Rome’s craftsmanship and classic design language, both cities have been instrumental in his growth as a designer.
Having conceived a brand which proudly celebrates inclusivity and freedom, one couldn’t help but ask the designer what Pride means to him. “Pride to me means the freedom to be who I want to be. And believe my work and my designs are an extension of who I am as a person,” he shares. He asserts that it is important for an eponymous label to especially reflect the designer’s personality and choices.
Jeetinder Sandhu’s designs are unapologetic, and at the core, the brand is gender-neutral. “My brand is inclusive and aimed at all, which are key attributes of Pride,” he affirms.
“Having the platform and the space to voice opinions and push for the rights and respect of everyone is critical and not to be taken lightly. I have tried to push forward the dialogue of design for all, a product that doesn’t have to be placed only in a certain section of a store. I personally have always shopped and worn clothes irrespective of them being for only men or women. I feel it’s how the wearer pulls it off and what they add to the product is what makes it shine ultimately,” he quips.
While conceptualising the pieces, Jeetinder always puts design first. Moreover, he has consciously chosen to be a niche designer, creating unique and artistic objects and pieces. “This has worked for me and I have managed to carve out my name through it. I believe commercial success follows through when you let your design do the talking, and I am confident enough in my work to stand on its own,” he says.
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The designer believes that India is ready for experimental shoes. “I have seen such a drastic shift in customers’ shopping habits over the years, and I must say, social media, travel, pandemic – all have been factors that have changed the psyche of people when it comes to unique designer pieces,” he notes.
When we ask him if he gets to work with one luxury design house who it would be, his response is Prada. “I have always been a huge fan of the brand and the high standards of design and craftsmanship the luxury house is known for,” he says.
