More than just Chappals: The Story of Paragon Footwear and its Iconic Journey

From school corridors and temple courtyards to bustling markets and quiet verandahs, chances are, you’ve seen a pair of Paragon slippers somewhere, or you’ve owned one yourself. Affordable, durable, and dependable, Paragon isn’t just a footwear brand; it’s a part of India’s everyday life. But behind those familiar soles is a story of grit, innovation, and values that have stood the test of time. What began as a modest footwear business in Kerala in 1975 has grown into a national household name, driven by a vision to offer quality footwear to every Indian. With a stronghold in both rural and urban markets, and an eye now set on global expansion, Paragon has quietly walked alongside generations, adapting, evolving, but never losing its soul.

In this article, we talk with Sachin Joseph, the Executive Vice President of Marketing and IT at Paragon Footwear, about the story of its incredible journey, from the legacy of its founders and memorable products to community efforts, and what lies ahead in the coming decade. Paragon was established in 1975 with a vision to provide great quality footwear to every Indian at the best price. Our founders are  P.V. Abraham, K.U. Thomas, and K.U. Scaria and today we continue as a family-run business running into the third generation. Our values continue to be driven by durability, affordability, and integrity. From a modest beginning in Kerala, our company has evolved into one of India's most trusted and well-known footwear brands, due to those core values”, says Joseph. 

Remembering the Roots

The brand may have grown across the country and beyond, but its foundation remains unchanged. A quality-first philosophy runs through every aspect of the business. Most of Paragon’s products are made in-house, which allows them to maintain strict quality control. And even today, the brand continues to serve both rural and urban markets with the same dedication as in its early years. However, the question arises about how the brand stayed true to its roots over the years. Joseph shares, “Despite Paragon growing into an international brand over the decades, we've never forgotten our root philosophy, which is to craft quality-first footwear, created for the common Indian. We make the majority of our products in-house to control quality and have strict quality parameters to be followed, and we continue to cater to urban and rural markets alike with the same passion.”

The iconic ‘Hawai’ chappals are perhaps what most Indians associate with Paragon. These classic slippers are a staple in homes across the country. Over time, the brand expanded into school shoes, sandals, sneakers, and even launched premium lines like Eeken. Of course, the journey wasn’t always smooth. Like any homegrown brand in the ’70s, Paragon faced its fair share of challenges. “As with any domestic brand, we confronted logistical, financial, and distribution challenges as any brand would face so early on, particularly in scaling operations in a multi-faceted country like India during the 1970s. But maintaining commitment to in-house production and an incredibly extensive distributor network got us over those early obstacles”, opines Sachin Joseph. 

A Memorable Miltestone

A major turning point came in 1982 when Paragon expanded beyond Kerala into Tamil Nadu. This marked the beginning of their journey across India. Setting up advanced production units, launching sub-brands like Eeken and Stimulus, opening over 100 exclusive stores, and entering the e-commerce space were all important milestones in their story. “Our heritage lies in functional, long-lasting footwear, but we’ve embraced innovation in material science, design aesthetics, and retail experiences. We’ve also expanded to create the sub-brand Eeken, which is targeted to tailor to the newer generation where we focus on fast-changing fashion and sneakers. The result is a product range that blends familiarity with freshness, appealing across age groups”, says Joseph. He further adds, “Our biggest strength has been consistency in quality and price. We have won customers' trust by being dependable and consistently producing great quality products. Paragon has been a part of Indian families for generations, and we do not take that trust lightly; and that we believe is one of our main ingredients for success.”

Customer loyalty has been built steadily over time. Consistency in both quality and pricing has earned Paragon the trust of millions. The brand has been part of Indian households for generations, and that trust has become one of their strongest foundations. Discussing the brand's goals for the next decade, Joseph mentioned, “Both of our areas of focus are twofold: to go deeper in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and to go global. We aspire to be a truly global Indian footwear brand and represent India in a great light overseas while staying true to our core values of innovation, comfort and design.” 

Sustainability at its Core

Sustainability is also on the radar. Paragon has been gradually shifting toward eco-conscious materials and practices. In 2009, they received the ISO 14001 certification for their environmental efforts. It wasn’t just a badge—it was a statement of responsibility toward future generations. “We've always believed in making intentional efforts to shift to using more environmentally-responsible materials and practices gradually. In 2009, this commitment was formally recognised with the ISO 14001 certification. This wasn't just a badge of honour, it was a promise to future generations of Paragon users that our stance on sustainability will hold firm and true”, says Sachin Joseph. 

However, the younger generation or Gen Z, tends to follow things that are in trend. Thus, we asked Sachin Joseph, “How is the brand preparing to connect with younger or more diverse audiences?  “Through Eeken, we’ve introduced trendier styles, engaged with Gen Z through digital storytelling, and amped up our presence on platforms like Instagram. Our newer campaigns speak the language of younger audiences without alienating our core base”, says the VP. 

Lastly, we asked about what the brand is ultimately striving to be remembered for. He warmly replies, “We desire to be remembered as the brand that marched with India along its streets, schools, festivals, and daily life. A brand that represented dependability, comfort, and accessibility, and remained faithful to its people.”

In a world that’s always racing ahead, Paragon has found the perfect pace, steady, sincere, and always one step ahead.