Fuchsia Shoes stand apart from mass-produced factory shoes. Instead, we proudly employ an innovative small-batch manufacturing approach, harmonizing the talents of more than 72 highly skilled artisans across Pakistan, all coming together to craft each batch of Fuchsias.
Our artisans' roles are distinct yet interconnected, ensuring every Fuchsia shoe is a work of art. Firstly, we have artisans who specialize in crafting intricate embroideries for our uppers. This meticulous process is time-consuming, as each pair features handmade embroideries, except for our plain models. This craftsmanship adds value, making our embroidered shoes more premium.
In the next stage, we entrust artisans with the task of cutting the leather soles, followed by the artisans who intricately stitch them. We have skilled craftsmen dedicated to 'lasting' the shoes for impeccable sizing, guaranteeing a perfect fit. Lastly, our artisans add the finishing touches, ensuring every detail is flawless.
Our production process seamlessly yields batches of 50 to 200 pairs of shoes each day. It begins with a team of artisans meticulously preparing the uppers, soles, and all necessary raw materials. On the following day, our shoes are expertly hand-stitched, with a single artisan capable of stitching up to 10 pairs daily. Finally, on the third day, our shoes are skillfully placed on 'lasts' for sizing and the finishing touches.
This artisanal, handmade manufacturing process is the cornerstone of our commitment to delivering shoes that excel in quality and comfort. Beyond that, it carries significant environmental benefits. By adopting a small-batch approach, we minimize waste and reduce our carbon footprint. Moreover, we prioritize sustainability by responsibly sourcing materials locally, further diminishing our environmental impact. Our dedication to handmade craftsmanship isn't just about creating exceptional shoes; it's also about advancing a more sustainable and eco-conscious future.
Do you know Fuchsia Shoes are primarily packed by all women? Packaging may seem like a minor detail, and too often it is overlooked. However, packaging is an important component of a brand that tells a story and requires people who are attention to detail, and have a strong aesthetic sense.
For us it's Amna who has been with us for a little over two years. Growing up she learnt sewing at home and would often help out her mother who was an in-home tailor stitching clothes for the local community. Her husband is running Fuchsia's operations locally managing more than 52 artisans in Sangla Hills, who make Fuchsia shoes in small batch productions.
Post COVID, she decided to join our team full time. Just within two year of working with us, she is overseeing the packaging for the Sangla group. She runs daily packing sessions with the team and constantly on a lookout for adding more women artisans as we grow our production. Amna is a total bar raiser - Not only is she one of the savvy minds we have met, but has a strong passion for serving others and an insatiable thirst for learning.
When our women work for Fuchsia, not only they thrive from fair and steady income, but from the holistic programs created to directly strengthen their families and communities. Vocational training programs are offered to daughters of families who cannot afford school fees, medical treatments and sanitation methods are financially supported and much more.
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Customer Service is a critical part of any business. At Fuchsia, this important task is handled by two rockstar gals Arshia and Noor who are the main point of human contact with our customers.
Here is a little about them:
Arshia Komal
Arshia graduated with a bachelor's degree in Dietetics, with honors, to be precise. She secured second-highest CGPA in her batch, but at Fuchsia, she's exploring her skills in Customer Relationship and Marketing.
She is considerate, passionate and committed. She wants to make the most of her life by being financially independent and improving the life of people around her. Her job at Fuchsia enables her to move in this direction, ultimately leading towards her bigger goals. If she has the power to solve one social issue in the world, it would be Global Poverty.
Noorulain Sohail
Ever since Noor was a kid, she has been closely related to performing arts and scriptwriting. She has been writing for 10 years now and won many awards at University level, despite graduating with a degree in computer sciences. She has written copies for several big companies, and ventured into social media by developing ad copies and social media strategies.
Noor aspires to be her own boss professionally and to be financially independent. Her strengths are discipline, dedication, and innate ability to remain calm no matter how stressful things get. She also aspired to be a role model for her girls. If she has the power to solve one social issue in the world, it would be Child Labor.
]]>We will be highlighting our amazing Fuchsia women throughout March. To begin, I’ll start with my own story of becoming Fuchsia.
I grew up in Karachi, Pakistan, in a middle-class family. I wanted to pursue a Master’s degree in a technology discipline. My parents wanted me to pursue a career that was “female-friendly.”. Many times, achieving this felt like an uphill battle. However, my constant rebellion led me to secure an undergraduate degree in Computer Science.
I became the first female engineer in my family, landing my dream job with Microsoft, and ultimately, relocated to the USA. When I first moved, it was a complete culture shock. Adapting to an independent life in the USA, was a major learning experience that I’m forever grateful for.
While working at Microsoft, I still had ambitions to pursue my Master’s. I learned that Microsoft would financially contribute to the educational program. I enrolled in an evening Master’s of Management program at the University of Washington and completed my graduate degree within two years. I am incredibly grateful that Microsoft supported me.
In 2016, I felt ready to embark on an unknown journey after coming across several artisan groups from potterers, to painters to shoe artisans in Pakistan. It would be an understatement to say I was blown away to see the skills and talents these artisans displayed.They struggled to practice their craft in the local markets in addition to competing with mass production.
It was heartbreaking to see how many of them have been stuck in this cycle for generations, especially women working hard and still not having freedom of choice. It dramatically heightened my awareness. I wanted to do something about it. But what?
I ended up buying several pairs of locally made colorful shoes that I brought back to Seattle with me as souvenirs. When I returned to Seattle, I was stunned by the overwhelmingly positive reaction I received on the shoes, not just from friends but strangers. The shoes were eclectic and eye-catching. So many people asked me where to get them, that an idea began to emerge.
This triggered me to look for a solution in the world that I already knew. Especially in the traditional footwear industry being revolutionized with a new army of mission-driven brands driving innovation and growth. Why not create a new kind of shoe brand that unlocks a new opportunity market for Pakistani artisans? It could be life-transforming and elevate the value of their craft such that it is no less than Italian craftsmanship.
Afshan visting Haripur Artisans in 2019
Something about this idea felt so right, even though I had no experience, or connections in the shoe business. I did have a name that came to me almost immediately. I called it Fuchsia. Bold eye-catching hues of Pink representing kindness, authenticity, and compassion. It is a symbol of change and a color that inspires us to overcome struggles that have been hampering our growth.
I had already set fire to the idea, quit my job at Microsoft and started building Fuchsia step by step. When the pandemic hit in 2020, we were still a very young company to deal with the repercussions. But our simplistic supply chain and zero reliance on exported raw material saved us. On a personal side, my mother was diagnosed with end stage kidney disease and I ended becoming her primary caregiver.
With the help of my supporting husband and my rockstar team, we took things one day at a time. At the end of the day what kept me moving forward is a positive attitude. We grew our operations right here in Seattle, WA. We hired more artisans in Pakistan to scale our production to 5,000 Fuchsias per month. All of it while building a community of forward thinkers and brand ambassadors—-our customers who put their best foot forward. I cannot wait to share more stories of our amazing Fuchsia women over the next coming days—-Women who are making history.
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When Fuchsia was first founded in Seattle, WA by a group of friends, we had a vision and destination in mind. To create unique handmade quality shoes that you can depend on for every walk of life. A pair of shoes that help put your best foot forward when you encounter rocks and obstacles in your path. But also shoes you wore when you celebrate your life’s precious moments.
Recently we interviewed a newlywed bride who bought a pair of flats for all of her bridesmaids and we couldn’t help but share this beautiful story.
Fuchsia: How did you hear about Fuchsia and what made you pick our flats?
Stephanie: I was looking for Indian style shoes for my bridesmaid to wear. My wedding was a fusion of Indian and American styles. I really liked the simplicity and details of the shoes at Fuchsia.
Fuchsia: How did your bridesmaid like our flats? Were they comfortable?
Stephanie: The bridesmaids loved the shoes– they all spent time “breaking” them in for a couple of days. But they all said that these were shoes that they would wear again.
Fuchsia: Would you change anything about them?
Stephanie: I wouldn’t change anything about them! They went really well with my colors and the style I was trying to achieve.
When we created this company, we wanted to not only make shoes that last a lifetime, but also make our customers happy with our product. We wanted to thank Stephanie for choosing Fuchsia for such an important occasion of her life and congratulate her on her wedding.
]]>We all know that struggle too well where we spend ages standing in front of our wardrobes scratching our heads over what to wear and pair when you’re getting ready; but look no further, we have the ultimate style guide for every occasion with our own exclusive collection of dazzling “Khussas” to tie up your whole look, be it for a splashy summer adventure or a sultry club night, Fuchsia footwear has everything!
More often than not, it is difficult to find something that is appropriately somber yet chic to wear in our daily 9-5 routine, when the workload piles up and comfort is your best bet, but who says comfort has to be boring? You can choose one of our minimal, clad colored “Khussa” flats that come in basic colors, with slim streaks of white gold and silver that are classy, and maintain the sophisticated demeanor of your work mode.
You can pair these with pant suits, blazers, small stone jewelry; just add a neat hair bun, and you are ready to conquer the world with the supple lining of the Fuchsia ballet flats that don’t steal focus and make sure you can command a room without having to worry about any pinch in your toes! Little black dress, cute bright shoes
Shoes say a lot about a person, how they choose to dress up their feet reflects their personality, so it’s quite a task to find the perfect shoes that not only compliment your outfit but your personal grooming. Sure, the perfect little black dress and black stilettos will make you feel like a star, but one thing that shines brighter than dazzling black heels is creativity, which we bring to you with suede and velvet pumps of gorgeous reds, electric blues, emeralds greens, with the perfect amount of embroidered golden and silver wires, beads or mirrors . With the added comfort of cushioned soles, the Fuchsia Khussa pumps will brighten up any dress, flair, skirt and add a flirtatious tone to your elegant ensemble.
Jumpsuit styling the Fuchsia way
2015 has seen the revival of the jumpsuit with all kinds of fabric coming back in trend, the simplistic, chic look of the jumpsuit screams for creative accessorizing, and what better way to do that than to throw on a worn denim dungaree, braid up your hair, and walk out to a Sunday brunch in our brilliantly decorated and vibrant “Khussa” sandals, coming in different designs of buckles and pumps, tufty pointed-toe flats or rainbow colored thread-work Khussas to bring a little bling to your denim blues. It not only works for an artsy hip look, but these gorgeous flats can be worn with semi casual, sexy flair jumpsuits that go perfectly with colorful accessorizing, Fuchsia has the widest range of bling and bright to bring your simple and plain jumpsuit to life. Imagine spending the perfect afternoon with your girlfriends in a black or blue jumpsuit, with beaded or metallic jewelry and a unique pair of patterned Khussa flats that scream fun and excitement!
Fuchsia Summer
How can we forget the anticipation of summer vacation when talking about fun and excitement; pool parties, beach galas, food court detours, music festivals and what not, and this is where we go all out in creating a range of shoes that capture the essence of summer like none other; just put on your beloved beach shorts and mid waist tops, pop on some kickass sunglasses and pair them with our psychedelic pair of our thread-embroidered ballet flats in peacock colors, or berry hues. Or just wear them with a strappy sundress and you needn’t wear any other accessory at all.
But the best and the easiest look to achieve is wearing them with your everyday jeans and summer capris, when you’re out shopping or just moving around town, the contrasting patterns and colors of our ballet flats will give you all day walking comfort with the most effortless stylishness you could perceive; all you need is a comfy t-shirt, your favorite pair of jeans or capris shorts, and a soft, gorgeous pair of Fuchsia ballet flats to kick off your day.
Fuchsia all year round
The design of our ballet flats and sandals are especially designed by skilled craftsmen to ensure durability, comfort and uniqueness. They can endure extreme wear and tear, and do not lose color, and will never go out of style, it doesn’t matter how formal or casual you are going, Fuchsia has the shoes for every occasion to brighten and class up your wardrobe in no time!
]]>Pakistani arts and crafts are valued all around the world. Be it the bright array of mirror work dresses of Baluchistan in the South West of Pakistan, or tire-rubber sole sandals that became all the rage in Europe, up to the unique colorful attire of Kailash valley in Northern Pakistan; but who can forget the beautiful range of Khussas (traditional embroidered ballet flats) that are a Punjabi specialty, from where the inspiration for Fuchsia footwear began! It all started when the team at Fuchsia decided to bring the traditional crafts of Pakistan to the western world. Fuchsia launched a Khussa ballet flat line for the American audience, which led to the team’s enlightening trip to Pakistan in search for a modified and comfortable product that will endure the urban demands of the American woman.
Co-founders Afshan Abbas and Hamad Khawaja’s trip to Pakistan was a quest to search local artisans that could help them create an improved version of the traditional footwear. This led them to major cities that produced this product like Lahore and Faisalbad; Having met many local shoe retailers and craftsmen that dealt with Khussa making and marketing, the duo ended up in the small town of Sangla that is the hub for Khussa-making in Pakistan. “This trip was eye opening to say the least; having visited many small workshops crowded with local artisans, we realized that there’s more to the simple oblong shape of the Khussa than what meets the eye” Abbas says of her experience.
Fuchsia Co-founders Afshan and Hamad in Sangla
After spending quite a bit of time in understanding the process of Khussa-making and meeting with shoe experts, the team was ready to take the Khussa venture globally with confidence! They went forward with two things in mind; taking the Khussa to the international market that would revive the dying art of handicrafts in Pakistan, in hopes to bring the colorful side of the country to the global forefront, and helping the local industry in maintaining its livelihood by financially supporting the local craftsman.
This quest led Fuchsia team to nearby towns of Okara, Khunda Mor and Multan that are host to small islands of talented craftsman and artisans that contribute to this industry, who are sadly struggling to keep up with the flood of mass-produced goods available in the local markets. The working conditions are sub-par and most craftsman move on to another manufacturer after having collected advance wages from the previous one, making it an inconsistent venture to keep alive.
After the reconnaissance in Lahore, Sangla and Multan, the team was determined to compensate these workers by making them realize the value of their skill. This is exactly what was hoped to achieve from this trip, to establish a ground in Punjab, for the manufacturing of the product so the local craftsman may benefit from it. The team made modifications in the design, combining the craftsmanship of the existing Khussa with a more sophisticated sole to make the comfortable must have for any wardrobe!
It took a thousand miles of walking in the mindset of the beautiful piece of art. The inspiration from Fuchsia that took a trip halfway across the globe came to a happy end back in Seattle, ready to present to the world, the beautiful Khussa that is fit for every occasion!
]]>After a successful summer launch, Fuchsia is excited to announce our 2014 Fall collection in collaboration with FACES Pakistan - a non-profit organization which aims to empower the underprivileged in society. Realizing the importance of the ‘women’ in an economy, FACES Pakistan, formed an alliance with Caritas Germany, to commence a project titled Health Education and Enterprise Development (HEED). This public-spirited project aimed at improving the lives of the flood-affected females of the mixed religious communities in Nowshera, Jaffarabad, Rahim Yar Khan and Kashmore.
Apart from the other spheres of life that this project dealt with, an attempt to demonstrate and promote the handicrafts prepared by the skilled women groups was also made. In doing so, extensive training and seed grants were provided so as to enable these disadvantaged women to learn the essentials of business and form social enterprises for life sustaining solutions.
The talent of these marginalized women in making Punjabi shoes (kola puri chappals) caught our, Fuchsia Footwear’s, attention and we joined hands with FACES Pakistan in this endeavor. Where this collaboration highlights the cultural heritage of Pakistan, it also brings to the forefront the creative skills of the sidelined population which would have faded away otherwise.
]]>The Fuchsia story begins with a trip to my hometown of Karachi, Pakistan. Spring time was wafting through the air when I noticed several of the local women wearing funky attractive sandals. These ‘Kolhapuri’ sandals as they are traditionally known, are a beautifully crafted flip-flop style sandal. Using bright thread work to represent trendy traditional designs, these handmade sandals were particularly eye-catching.
After seeing them for the first time, I just knew I had to have a pair. Heading to the local bazaar, I treated myself to these exquisite and hip sandals. With so many designs to choose from, I couldn’t make up my mind! Each sandal was so unique in its own individual characteristics that I simply could not settle on just one pair, so I bought several. As I continued looking for myself, I realized these would also make wonderful gifts, so I brought a few pairs back for my girlfriends in Seattle.
Once I returned to Seattle, I wore my new ‘Kolhapuri’ sandals everywhere I went—out shopping, at work, a night on the town, even strolls in the park. The sandals looked perfect with practically everything I wore, whether it was casual jeans, skirts, or even slacks. And every time I wore them, I was bombarded with constant compliments on my unique shoes. With all of the extra attention I received, I began to realize how incredibly happy it made me to discuss these fun sandals with different people.
It was from these interactions and positive comments from different women that the concept of Fuchsia emerged. I quickly realized I needed to share these amazing exotic handmade sandals with the world. With the help of my three closest friends, who happened to share the same passion for fashion as me, we founded Fuchsia. These funky ‘Kolhapuri’ sandals, or ‘khussa’ – the traditional name for embroidered ballet flats – would represent what can come out from our home country of Pakistan. Being a seller of Pakistani made shoes is also a dream come true!
We began our sandal development by conducting a pilot study with girls in Seattle. They wore our Fuschia sandals throughout their day and gave us great feedback. People loved the look and feel of the sandals and could not wait to see them being sold in their city.
Encouraged, we returned to Pakistan, where our obsession over quality led us to a small town called Sangla: the home of the ‘Kolhapuris.’ Here they are handmade by expert local artisans, who have honed this art for generations. After a few iterations on design and quality with a local “khussa” maker we finally settled on our first batch of exotic handmade sandals. We are proud to bring these uniquely made perfect sandals to you. With Pakistan known as one of the top three countries in the world for handicrafts, you will know that the purchase you make from Fuchsia is of the highest quality.
Fuchsia, the name of our company, did not come just from being a vibrant color, but because every woman is unique with her own personality and specific taste in design. Besides, since these shoes are handmade, no two shoes will ever be exactly alike - with a wide variety of styles, designs, and colors, even the most laid back woman will be able to find a shoe to fit her own unique style and bring out the vibrant personality present in us all. We hope you enjoy wearing our sandals as much as we did in designing them for you.
]]>The photo shoot of Fuchsia’s debut collection, ballet style flats was conducted by the very talented Seattle based photographer - Muqu of Massan photography. The typical Seattle rainy forecast couldn’t stop us on the shoot day. In this stunningly gorgeous photo shoot Muqu shows another side of her photographic versatility depicting clear fashion, but also both the elegance and exquisiteness of Fuchsia ballerina flats. When asked about how this fashion shoot is unique from her previous work Muqu pointed out that contradistinction between the funky shoe colors and the natural light streaming in makes this fashion shoot so captivating.
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