For most of us, turning 20 was the first step into real adulthood. It’s a milestone, upon the completion of which one is considered more responsible than their teenage self – mature enough to command a rightful identity in the real world, yet youthful in equal measure to step into the unknown. Born in 1998, designer footwear brand Inc. 5 is at a similar juncture as it celebrates two decades of creating highend products this year. On this occasion, the brand extends the festivities to its patrons through a week-long celebration across all its stores.
But like every growing adult, the values of this rather successful 20-year old are ingrained in the lengthy journey of its parent brand. Regal Shoes was established in the year 1954. It cut across gender and age boundaries to institute a legacy with elegant footwear and accessories. “By the 90s, however, a new tide of style sense was taking over the country,” says the brand’s Managing Director, Amin Virji.
“Fashion was constantly evolving from being merely trendy to being comfortable, transforming into a way of life. And just like that, a new segment of customers was born—the price-conscious 16-35 year-old men and women with an appetite for stunning (of course) and long-lasting fashion wear,” Virji adds.
Thus began the story of Inc. 5 in 1998, in the form of a homely business space at Mumbai’s famed Heera Panna Shopping Centre. The company’s goals were simple, and so was the objective: to satisfy the most discerning and demanding clients’ need for top quality shoes, with a keen eye on interpreting and delivering every season’s fashion trends.
A loyal patronage and a richer heritage have since come together to make Inc. 5 one of the most loved and trusted footwear brands around the world. A total of 225 shop-in shops and 50 standalone stores across various Indian cities – including Mumbai, Delhi, Noida, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Lucknow, Kanpur, Amritsar, Pune, Nasik, Indore, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Siliguri and Cochin – bear ample testimony to its growing popularity.
“We have carved a niche for ourselves and strive, as always, to carry on the legacy of creating timeless classics with a contemporary twist. Whether it’s the gunmetal-toned nude pumps that pair perfectly as you dress for dinner, or a pair of black flats with silver accents to go with your ethnic wear, or even your casual jeans and T-shirt combo, we have just the pair to add to the perfection that you are,” says Virji, adding, “There hasn’t been a better time to walk into our stores to pick out the perfect complement to your ensemble.” Be a part of the 20th birthday shenanigans of this imaginative brand, which refuses to sway from its core principles.
