Stunning slippers

The Pink City of Jaipur, in northwest India, offers a host of exquisite landmarks, yet during my March ’09 visit I made sure one of my stops was the shoe store Mojari (D-67, Shiv Heera Path, Chomu House, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India; phone 091 141 2377037), listed in the Lonely Planet guide.

I sought out this store for the beaded and sequined slipper-type shoes seen throughout the vibrant state of Rajasthan.

India maintains a long tradition of these shoes, typically known as mojari or jutties. In the past they adorned royal feet, garnished with gems, pearls and real gold or silver embroidery. Today the leather styles remain ornately stitched, notable for their flat heels and rounded or pointed toes, sometimes upturned, and typically embellished with shells, mirrors, beads, bells or sequins.

Mojari offers a collection more upscale than those sold on the street.

On the day I went, the staff was very accommodating. Once they measured my foot, they brought 20 different styles for me to try on, and there seemed to be still more in the back.

I bought two pairs for $14 each. One is embroidered with elegant gold and black threads. The other has a pattern of colored beads around the toe.

Later on my trip I found three attractive pairs in Mumbai, but they were more expensive and lacked the artistry and cushioned heel of the shoes I found at Mojari.

The store’s website offers some styles but not the rich variety I saw in person. Further, they are priced at $39-$40 for US customers.

The store was difficult for our driver to find, perhaps because he was from out of the area. Thankfully, we carried a map. Still, he stopped many times to ask for directions. The effort was worth it.

KIMBERLY A. EDWARDS

Sacramento, CA