Designer Spotlight: Chalo
India might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of cowboy boots, but for Chalo founder Mitali Gupta, the style is all in the family. Her father first opened a leather factory and tannery in Northern India over 25 years ago, creating intricately designed uppers for cowboy boots. Following in his footsteps, Mitali now produces Chalo in the same factory, focusing on small-batch runs, sustainability, and community engagement. With Western wear at the top of the trends list for 2025, we chatted with Mitali about creating a heritage brand, cowboy culture, and her favorite Chalo styles.

What made your family go into producing cowboy boots?
Cowboy boots aren’t something you’d link to Indian culture, and that’s exactly what makes our story so fun. Our family tannery-factory, based in Kanpur, India, has been making cowboy boots for over 25 years. Initially, we only made cowboy boot “uppers”, the decorative, beautiful, upper portion of the boots. The factory has grown to tan its own leather and make full boots, shoes, bags, and other accessories.
I grew up seeing my father wearing cowboy boots in the '90s, in India and they became a part of my family heritage. Many people perceive cowboy boots as working or riding boots, but my sister and I grew up wearing them everywhere. People around me have been fascinated by the boots and excited to try them, but they're a little hesitant at first. For them, cowboy boots seem foreign for everyday life, especially to women. This is how Chalo was born: with a hope to combine traditional designs with a modern touch so that they can be more versatile.
Making our products in India is the core of who we are, and I could not be more proud to be among the few cowboy bootmakers in the country. I am very grateful to work with a team of skilled makers in India and create opportunities that can amplify their talent. We celebrate the pride of being “Made in India" alongside being inspired by the West.


We’ve seen this big resurgence in the Western trend recently and for the coming year, especially. Do you have any thoughts on why that’s such a big style right now?
The resurgence of Western wear feels like so much more than just a trend—it’s a cultural moment tapping into something deeper. This pull toward self-expression, storytelling, and authenticity feels very relevant right now. While Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” and Barbie’s cowboy-chic looks might have brought it into the spotlight, this wave has been building for a while. It’s rooted in the way we’re rethinking what the Western aesthetic represents.
Part of the allure of Western wear is how versatile it can be. It’s grounded in history but leaves so much room for reinvention. You’ve got shows like Yellowstone redefining rugged glamor, TikTok’s #CoastalCowgirl trend making it playful and accessible, and even high fashion blending it into everyday life. Then there’s the more profound cultural shift happening—Beyoncé and Lil Nas X, for example, have reimagined what cowboy culture can be for many communities while challenging stereotypes of who “belongs” in the Western narrative. It’s no longer about fitting into one narrow archetype; it’s about using the Western aesthetic as a way to express individuality and reclaim symbols of freedom and expression.
What’s driving the excitement behind this resurgence? It’s a mix of cultural nostalgia and reinvention, this time with a sharper focus on inclusion, identity, and a hint of defiance. And that’s what makes it so compelling.


Why are sustainability and artisanal craftsmanship important to Chalo?
For me, design is all about creating a conversation between form and function. With Chalo, I wanted to create something that would simplify women’s wardrobes and save space. This is where handcrafted, versatile, and quality boots come into play. I have a strong aversion to wastefulness and did not want to compromise on these elements. At the same time, it is important to me that the boots are accessible to many demographics and communities.
As the fashion industry moves towards more responsible production methods, it has been imperative for me to build Chalo thoughtfully from the ground up. This means being transparent and responsible about our production processes. Where possible, we utilize solar energy for our production needs, and we air and sun dry our leathers to reduce machine and chemical use. Our leathers are heavy metal-free, and we treat any wastewater through our in-house Effluent Treatment Plant (ETF).
One of my favorite parts of this journey is seeing the impact beyond the products. My father implemented a program to support the early education of the children of our employees. We’ve even created a food forest on the premises, growing fruits, vegetables, and other plants that contribute to the subsidized fresh lunches available to our team. At the end of the day, being small and homegrown allows us to stay connected to every detail. It’s what gives this work meaning, rooted in responsibility and community, right here at home.
I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs—my grandfather, father, and sister have all built businesses. I saw firsthand how they not only built their own ventures but also gave back, created jobs, and facilitated growth in their respective communities. This shaped how I approach my work with Chalo. It’s about more than just a brand; it’s a vehicle for self-expression, connecting cultures, telling stories, and giving back to the communities involved in its creation.

What are some of your signature Chalo boot styles?
The Chalo collection is designed with a simple goal: boots that are easy to slip on, can be styled up or down, and journey on many of life’s big and small moments with you. Our collection is intentionally small and thoughtfully designed to balance style, comfort, and versatility.
Two styles that have stood out as crowd favorites are the Chelsea Cowboy and the Wild Oak. The Chelsea Cowboy has a classic silhouette and clean design, making it perfect for anything from a day at the office to a casual coffee run or an evening out. The Wild Oak, on the other hand, brings a bold flair to our collection. With its snake-printed detailing and beautiful warm brown tones, it’s perfect for those moments when you want to add a little edge to your outfit.
We can also make custom cowboy boots for both women and men—it’s a fun way to bring someone’s personal style to life. Custom designs let us connect with our customers, and these moments become really inspirational and fun for our team, as well as the buyer.
Looking ahead, I’ve been working closely with our makers on new designs that build on our signature approach. We’re exploring new stitching techniques, fresh textures, and patterns on the signature black and brown leathers that have become Chalo staples.