Satish Gokhale's Soulmates - disposable footwear wins Business Week-IDEA Award

15 Jul '05

2 min read

Imagine a designer of industrial machines and electronic products coming up with an idea and making disposable footwear called Soulmates, from pulp!

That's Satish Gokhale, Director of Pune-based Design Directions, for you.

Satish's company recently won a Business Week-IDEA award for Solemates.

Made from recycled newsprint and other non-laminated paper pulp, Solemates is an eco-friendly and biodegradable product made from natural colours without bleaching agents and chemicals.

They do not get dirty or sweaty unlike rubber or plastic slippers that one often feels uncomfortable with, during summers.

Three years research bore fruits and Soulmates took shape, turning out lightweight with good anti-skid grip when one walks on marble or ceramic tiles that are in vogue.

Having properties of flexing while walking as well, the product can be used one time only and does not last for two to three days. Wet floor are a strict no-no for Soulmate.

Priced at about Rs 12 to Rs 15, Soulmates have been in demand as Gokhale's phones have not stopped ringing with enquires pour in from all over the world.

Some of the prestigious awards won by Design Directions:
* Good Industrial Design Award 1994 for design of Carding Machine for Loyal Engineering Ltd. Award Instituted by Designer's Guild of India c/o. Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore.
* The Ergonomic Comfort Chair designed by Satish Gokhale has won the Silver Award in the One piece Furniture category in the AMBIENCE LIFESTYLE AWARDS 2001, instituted by Indian Express.
* Electronica Machine Tools Ltd. received the 'MACHINIST' Award at IMTEX'98 based on the products designed by Design Directions.

More Fashion News - India...