Bridlen

Bridlen was founded in Chennai by K. Mohamed Hasan and Japanese shoemaker Jose Maria Watanabe in 1986. The founders developed a partnership that included Japanese design elements and Indian leather craftsmanship. The company initially produced uppers for other shoe brands and later began making complete shoes. After Hasan's death in 2019, his son Mohamed Affan Kolandaiveedu assumed leadership of the company.

Bridlen operates a manufacturing facility in Chennai with a workforce of about 200 employees. The company maintains small-batch production practices and implements processes associated with bespoke shoemaking. Shoemakers at Bridlen stitch shoe uppers directly onto the last during assembly.

Bridlen employs a method of Goodyear welt construction in which artisans carve a holdfast directly into a thick leather insole and stitch the welt to it, omitting the canvas rib commonly used in the industry. The company uses leathers from tanneries such as Annonay in France, Charles F. Stead in England, and Weinheimer in Germany. Bridlen applies a floating lining method by sewing the lining to the upper without large quantities of adhesive.

Bridlen produces men's footwear styles including Oxfords, Derbies, Monks, Loafers, and boots. The Main Line features classic shoe models with closed-channel soles. The Founders Line contains shoes with beveled waists and detailed trimming. The Shell Cordovan Line uses shell cordovan leather for the uppers. The Blake Line consists of lighter shoes designed for casual use.