An open letter to defend Peshawari Chappals

An open letter to Mr Paul Smith Mr Paul Smith do you know : " Peshawari chappals or Kheris as they are called make up a small scale business that provide a living to many shoemakers who spend their days in making, stitching and fitting the shoes. This is a century old art taught from father to son then to grand son. There are many Chappal Walas and Chappal stores in Khyber Pakhtun who sell these chappals for an average 600 Rs ($6) . Bigger stores like Bata and Service sell them for approx 2000 Rs ($20) across Pakistan . Almost every Pakistani man has owned a pair of these sandals even little boys wear them with their shalwar suits to go for Friday prayers or on Eid day .It is a important corner stone of our identity and our culture. We Pakistanis take great pride in our heritage and our traditions. I am happy that you Sir Paul Smith a famous British designer has replicated the design and has introduced it in the world market for £300 .......30 times more than the cost of the same chappal bought in Khyber Pakhtun Province......BUT Sir why did you name them " Robert " it is certainly not your design it" s a Pakhtun design it's a Pakistani design . Why could you not give credit to the thousands of poor Chappal walas ........." Pakistanis all over the world are angry , a petition that was signed by 250 people was submitted to Prime Minister Cameron and Sir Paul Smith . Today in the morning the website PaulSmith.co.uk was still advertising the shoes and was still charging £300 only a sentence had been added which read: “Men’s high-shine black leather sandals with neon pink trims inspired by the Peshawari chappal.” I would label this as "modern day bullying " when a rich designer from the West can easily steal a piece of a poor third world country " s heritage .......... What next Ajrak being sold for £ 700 via a new name " Janet"!!!