La Mode X Protibha: A pair of Rickshaw Art on your feet

'La Mode X Protibha' collection. Photo: La Mode

This age-old art form in Bangladesh is unique for its use of colours like azure, tangerine and crimson, to create intricate labyrinths of foliage, beasts, and birds. 

It has been recognised by Unesco as an intangible cultural heritage. 

Moyurkonthi and Moyurakkhi. Photo: La Mode

From bargeboards of rickshaws to the glass cases of the National Museum, you will see this art everywhere in the country. 

To sustain the local artisans and their work, renowned brand La Mode and It's Humanity Foundation (IHF) came together to craft shoes adorned with Rickshaw Art. The special collection is called 'La Mode X Protibha'. 

Rangoli Black. Photo: La Mode

Protibha is a local business store and a wing of IHF that provides a platform for marginalised artisans to showcase their craft and develop economic endurance through it.

The artists under this project also create ceramic, glass, steel and tin products with Rickshaw Art on them. These products have also gained international recognition. 

The artists under this project also create ceramic, glass, steel and tin products with Rickshaw Art on them. Photo: La Mode

Protibha's Marketing and Communications Lead Afruza Tanzi said, "The artists that we found left their career in art because they could not earn enough and they were struggling financially. We offered them to come back to creating art and told them that we will also get them orders. They said they were very much willing to do it because they did not want to go back to working at a tea stall or a shopping mall." 

One of the artists shared with Protibha, "Once this art was valued but not anymore. We have no recognition, at least not in this country. We cast a magical spell on rickshaws with our brushes, yet we struggle to think about how we will feed ourselves and our family." 

"The artists that we found left their career in art because they could not earn enough and they were struggling financially." Photo: La Mode

La Mode has tried to shatter the stereotype that anything which looks fashionable and luxurious has to be imported. If you look at the shoes, you will be surprised by their look and quality.  

The brand takes great joy in telling their patrons how their shoes were designed in-house and the materials are ethically sourced and made with domestic artisans.

Mohuwa Mohini Black and White. Photo: La Mode

"There is no average pair when it comes to our products. Each pair is ethically handcrafted with lots of care and love. I design the products, and our artisans bring my vision to life," said the owner of La Mode Fahmida Islam. 

While some of the shoes may have the same design, each pair is hand painted by artists who are paid a significant portion of the product's price (40%-60%) depending on the amount and complexity of art on the shoes. 

Rangoli White. Photo: La Mode

These beautiful and unique looking shoes, which are available in black and white colour, can be bought online from La Mode's website (www.lamodebd.com). The price range is between Tk1,860 and Tk2,750.

The shoes have also been named, such as Rangoli, Mohuwa Mohini, Moyurkanthi, and Moyurakkhi.