The consumer preference for responsible fashion in India is largely driven by rising environmental awareness and the accessibility of eco-conscious products. While it is apparent that the traditional leather production method rarely aligns with environmental goals, consumer demand for crueltyfree biodegradable materials is necessitating brands to rethink design and innovation. However, ethicality in fashion struggles with a trade-off between style, comfort, and durability. Customers are often left in search of a middle ground between high-end brands that often demand a premium and budget friendly options that compromise on quality.

Fashion Conscious Innovation meets Material Fusion
With an in-house design team dedicated to creating unique styles, a focus on material fusion, and an industry-first warranty program, Planet Paaduks is redefining expectations for conscious fashion. The brand is committed to innovative materials, ethical manufacturing, and customer-centric policies. “All our products come with a warranty, which ranges from 100 to 200 days, which means that we make sure that the quality of the product is impeccable”, says Amit Jain, Founder. Some customers have reported years of use of footwear that were initially expected to last much shorter periods.

The brand utilizes a variety of mixed materials in its products to ensure a balance between fashion consciousness and durability. One of the key materials incorporated is reclaimed cork rubber where the cork is sourced without cutting down trees; instead, it is carefully removed from the outermost layer of the tree’s bark. In addition, rather than using new rubber, the brand repurposes materials such as recycled medicinal gloves and integrates them into the cork. In addition, Planet Paaduks uses organic cotton canvas, corduroy, and vegan leather in its footwear production. The soles of the footwear are crafted from rubber blended with discarded tires and other repurposed materials. All these materials are used to offer slides, sandals, sneakers, slip ons, and flip flops for men and women. The brand invests heavily on R&D to stay relevant, unique and innovative; a notable innovation is its sneakers that are 86 percent biodegradable.

Planet Paaduks recognizes that fashion conscious products alone are not enough, and that customer engagement plays a vital role in retention and loyalty

Customer-Centric Engagement and Digital Experience
Planet Paaduks recognizes that fashion conscious products alone are not enough; customer engagement plays a vital role in retention and loyalty. The brand offers personalized shopping experience where the team helps the customer to buy the right footwear, sometimes even helping them match the footwear with their outfit and style. Post-purchase, it engages with customers to get their feedback and even offers cashback to boost the customer retention. Furthermore, data-driven insights help in continuous improvement of the product offerings and service quality.

The journey from manually cutting tire soles to developing a proprietary formula for manufacturing soles, the brand has come a long way. While built on a strong foundation in footwear, Planet Paaduks is aiming to be a comprehensive lifestyle brand. It plans to expand its product portfolio by introducing a handbag collection followed by a clothing line. With a clear roadmap for the next few years, the brand aims to solidify its reputation as a premium yet affordable fashion conscious brand. By continuously refining its product design, material innovation, and customer engagement strategies, it seeks to become a one-stop destination for fashion-conscious consumers looking for ethical choices. As the demand for ethical alternatives continues to rise, the brand is well-positioned to lead the way, offering an ideal blend of style, comfort, and responsibility.