Wearing customized rings, pendants and bangles studded with semi-precious stones for fortune is passé. It is time to flatter your feet —and your luck — with astrological and zodiac shoes.

It might sound crazy but that’s exactly what Swati Mehrotra, a customized shoe designer in India , along with her team of seven astrologers, are providing. Mehrotra, who designs shoes under label SWATI MODO, launched a new range of astrological and zodiac shoes under her sub-brand "Serendipity" last week.

"The combination of astrology and shoes has been an untouched concept till now. I am providing two ranges of shoes - a zodiac one and the other is the astrological range," Mehrotra told IANS.

"My zodiac shoes comprise my retail collection. These are based on the 12 sun signs and are developed on the basis of chromopathy - that is healing with colour. For example, green for Virgo, red for Scorpio, gold for Leo etc.

"This collection includes 24 pairs of shoes - 12 each for men and women according to their specific sun sign. But I don’t plan to change the design of this collection anytime soon. So whatever the design is right now, it will stay with this range for sometime at least."

Mehrotra’s zodiac range is priced at Rs.8,000 ($192) and up and has been based on two important elements — colour and wood. She has made these shoes in synthetic material instead of leather as the latter is considered inauspicious.

Mehrotra is working in conjunction with seven astrologers who were doing a research project on the topic for two years.

"Whatever things have been done for people in terms of using astrology has been done above the waist till now. But people did not realize that their feet are the base and so even that area needs to be taken care of," said Sumit Kumar Hinduja, one of Mehrotra’s consultants.

The designer’s other range — astrological— will be made to order and customized according to the customer’s astrological background.

"Every horoscope gives a lucky number, auspicious colour and auspicious wood to carry...The shoes would be manufactured and made in the ‘shubh muhurat’ (auspicious time) as per the astrological parameter under our strict supervision. They can be based on the sun sign, moon sign, ascendant days (detailed study) and on the basis of a specific period that the ‘jaatak’ (person in question) is in astrologically," Hinduja said.

The materials include auspicious colour fabrics, favourable colour thread, wood, metal and stones as indicated by the client’s stars. The astrological shoes cost Rs.20,000 ($800) and up.