Mohinders

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS

• India (Athani, Karnataka)

WORKING CONDITIONS & WAGES

Mohinders’ production takes place in Athani in the Indian state of Karnataka, a region with a long shoemaking tradition. Each phase, from weaving to skiving to fitting, is carried out by master artisans, resulting in high quality and a closely managed, limited production circle.

The brand works with independently operating artisans, which is why quality checks are conducted instead of formal audits.
The artisans work from home. According to the brand, a representative conducts regular visits and on-site checks.

All shoes are made entirely by hand in 37 steps, clearly positioning the brand within a craft-based approach.

MATERIALS

• Water buffalo leather

The brand uses water buffalo leather from family businesses in the region around Athani (India). The tanning method is described as ​“bag-tanning”, a slow, artisanal method using a solution of water, acacia bark and myrobalan nut. According to the brand, certifications are not available. Learn more here about the potential environmental impacts of leather.

The brand describes the material as soft, flexible and requiring virtually no break-in period.

PACKAGING

No information on packaging materials is available.

WATER CONSUMPTION & CHEMICALS

Mohinders refers to materials with lower impact. The water buffalo leather is tanned using ​“bag-tanning”, involving a solution of water, acacia bark and crushed myrobalan nut. No further details are provided.

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN

According to your information, Mohinders’ products consist exclusively of leather and are therefore mono-material products, which in principle facilitates later recycling.

A take-back or reuse service for worn-out shoes is not offered. Instead, the brand provides repairs and resoling. Due to their handcrafted construction, the shoes are in principle repairable. Woven leather can be re-stitched or partially replaced.

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODEL

Mohinders emphasises a conscious reduction of waste and the longevity of its products and offers repairs as well as resoling.

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN

• India, Athani (Karnataka)
• Mohinders is based in San Francisco, Mumbai and Athani, India.

TRANSPORT

Mohinders currently uses air freight and, according to its own statement, is working to reduce its CO₂ footprint in the future.

• Leather

Mohinders uses water buffalo leather sourced from families in the region around Athani (India). The brand does not communicate a specific code of conduct regarding animal-derived materials.

PRODUCT DESIGN

Mohinders offers handcrafted leather shoes and slippers. Characteristic features include woven structures, a flexible fit and soft leather that adapts to the foot over time and develops a natural patina.

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES

Mohinders maintains a continuous collection to which new designs are occasionally added.

PRODUCT TRANSPARENCY

The product pages list only leather as the main material, along with care instructions and sizing guidance. In addition, there are short descriptions of the suppleness of the leather and the development of patina.
Country of production, origin of raw materials, details about workshops or artisans, as well as environmental or social information are not specified. As a result, traceability is limited. Buyers do not learn where the specific pair of shoes was made or which workshop was involved. Although the brand generally communicates that production takes place in Athani, product-specific information is not provided on the product pages.

PROCESS TRANSPARENCY

Mohinders provides only very limited information about its processes and suppliers. While the brand mentions that the shoes are handmade in Athani and describes the traditional working method, it does not go into detail about workshops involved, suppliers, tanneries or specific control mechanisms.
The available information appears only on a general brand page and not in the form of product-specific traceability.