Executives shaking hands during the acquisition of a footwear brand.
Mirza International, an Indian footwear manufacturer known for brands like RedTape, has acquired Solethreads, a direct-to-consumer (D2C) footwear brand. The deal, announced by Solethreads’ founder and CEO Sumant Kakaria, aims to leverage Mirza International’s manufacturing and distribution network to scale the D2C brand.
Founded in 2020, Solethreads focused on casual footwear for young consumers, initially building its presence online before expanding into offline retail. The brand secured ₹13 Cr in 2020 and ₹14 Cr in 2021 from DSG Consumer Partners and Saama Capital. In 2023, it raised $3.7 Mn in its Series A round led by Fireside Ventures.
Regulatory filings indicate that Tauseef Mirza, MD of Mirza International, became a director and promoter at Solethread parent Summersalt Lifestyle in December 2025. Following the acquisition, Kakaria will step down from his role as CEO.
The acquisition reflects a trend of traditional companies acquiring digital-first brands to reach younger consumers. Recent examples include Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail’s acquisition of Bewakoof and Styched buying sneaker brand Flatheads. The financial terms of Mirza International’s acquisition of Solethreads were not disclosed.
About the Author
