It’s a two-in-one. Actually, it can be more than that if you’re willing to spend the money. Shoe maker Liberty has launched Clic, a detachable shoe with interchangeable uppers for women. An upper is the part of the shoe above the sole.

Anupam Bansal, Executive Director, Liberty, says the shoe emerged from observing the modern woman’s lifestyle. Tight schedules see her rushing from work to a party, with little time in between for a makeover. Moreover, it’s cumbersome to carry all the accoutrements needed. A shoe that can fit this situation – only the upper needs to be carried – is a good solution, says Bansal. Not only that, women like to own a lot more products and colours, but may not have space in their wardrobe, and this product solves the problem, he says.

The shoe, which is high-heeled, works with a click mechanism that separates the upper and the sole. Liberty is selling it for Rs 2,999. Each pair of uppers costs Rs 999 each. There is a range of 12 uppers varying from bright candy red and hot pink to the classic chocolate brown on offer. The upper is taken apart from the sole and attached by a screw and spring mechanism that is ‘unlocked’ and ‘locked’ with a one-rupee coin. Bansal does not think using money on shoes is disrespect. “We can use any chip to change the uppers and not necessarily a coin.” Across the world, other methods to change the uppers include zips and press buttons.

Bansal says Clic is the first of its kind in India. The technical know-how has been sourced from a Hong Kong-based company and the components are imported here. However, it seems that while this is a niche product, it’s not completely new. At least one online retailer is selling another variety of shoes with interchangeable uppers in this country.

One finds there is also a shoe which alternates between being flat and high-heeled. Bansal says that kind of footwear is work in progress at his company.

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