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Saloni Dhruv profile imageSaloni DhruvPublished on

These new homegrown labels are taking the essence of streetwear style up a notch with their unapologetically individualistic designs

Bookmark these emerging labels making a mark on India’s streetwear scene

These nine homegrown brands are exploring a range of issues with their designs, including culture, identity and politics

Across the world, streetwear is more than just a trend of wearing baggy clothes that are splashed with graphic prints. From establishing a cult-like fervour, this subculture has now grown to become what fashion is now to the millennial and Gen Z demographics. While it is still gradually growing in India, streetwear has gone beyond hip-hop and sneakers to explore issues revolving around identity, culture and even politics, sartorially. While bigger brands like Jaywalking, Almost Gods, Huemn and Prxkhxr have already established themselves as flag-bearers of streetwear in India, we put together a list of new homegrown labels that are taking the essence of streetwear style up a notch with their unique and unapologetically individualistic designs.

Warping Theories:Designers Kuship Parmar and Urvash Parmar fused their two independent streetwear labels Warp and Pro-Anti Theory respectively to create Warping Theories in 2021 with three core foundational concepts: minimalism, neutrality and functionality. The Mumbai-based label offers a sophisticated and unconventional take on streetwear subculture with utility cargo pants, hoodies and graphic T-shirts–all created in a neutral colour palette. Keep an eye out for their collaboration with indie Indian artists for their limited-edition collection.Instagram: @warping_theories

Warping Theories:

Designers Kuship Parmar and Urvash Parmar fused their two independent streetwear labels Warp and Pro-Anti Theory respectively to create Warping Theories in 2021 with three core foundational concepts: minimalism, neutrality and functionality. The Mumbai-based label offers a sophisticated and unconventional take on streetwear subculture with utility cargo pants, hoodies and graphic T-shirts–all created in a neutral colour palette. Keep an eye out for their collaboration with indie Indian artists for their limited-edition collection.

Instagram:@warping_theories

Leave The Rest:Leave The Rest’s collections represent a strong sentiment of the rebellious spirit which can be seen in their ‘Elect a clown and get a full circus’ print T-shirt or their hoodies with ‘Propaganda’ printed in big, bold letters. The Surat-based sportswear-inspired streetwear label is founded by Harsh Patel who infuses satire in his collections. The brand offers ready-to-wear as well as made-to-measure fits at price points that won’t hurt your bank balance.Instagram: @leavetherest_

Leave The Rest:

Leave The Rest’s collections represent a strong sentiment of the rebellious spirit which can be seen in their ‘Elect a clown and get a full circus’ print T-shirt or their hoodies with ‘Propaganda’ printed in big, bold letters. The Surat-based sportswear-inspired streetwear label is founded by Harsh Patel who infuses satire in his collections. The brand offers ready-to-wear as well as made-to-measure fits at price points that won’t hurt your bank balance.

Instagram: @leavetherest_

IMWIP:Founded by Ishita Mehta, IMWIP plays with the idea that “you are allowed to be both, a masterpiece and a work in progress.” Literally translated as ‘I M Work In Progress,’ this homegrown streetwear label serves elevated basics that you can easily layer up with pieces from your existing closet. From co-ord sets that let you colour-block to the ‘Listen more than you talk’ T-shirt, you’ll find several pieces made using fabrics that are produced with reduced energy and water consumption.Instagram: @im_wip

IMWIP:

Founded by Ishita Mehta, IMWIP plays with the idea that “you are allowed to be both, a masterpiece and a work in progress.” Literally translated as ‘I M Work In Progress,’ this homegrown streetwear label serves elevated basics that you can easily layer up with pieces from your existing closet. From co-ord sets that let you colour-block to the ‘Listen more than you talk’ T-shirt, you’ll find several pieces made using fabrics that are produced with reduced energy and water consumption.

Instagram:@im_wip

Halo Effect:True to its name, the collections from Halo Effect feature hoodies and T-shirts with big, bold, halo-effect prints. Founded in 2020, this streetwear label is meant for those kids who are looking to make an understated yet cool style statement in oversized fits. The Dark Capsule Collection presents three black oversized hoodies with cool graphics in the form of halo-effect prints.Instagram: @haloeffectstore

Halo Effect:

True to its name, the collections from Halo Effect feature hoodies and T-shirts with big, bold, halo-effect prints. Founded in 2020, this streetwear label is meant for those kids who are looking to make an understated yet cool style statement in oversized fits. The Dark Capsule Collection presents three black oversized hoodies with cool graphics in the form of halo-effect prints.

Instagram:@haloeffectstore

HOS:For New Delhi-based Akashdeep Rawat, High On Street (HOS) is his way of bringing together contemporary elements and emerging cultures that are inspired by the streets. This can be seen through the use of vibrant colours and prints of HOS’s collections, including the hand-knitted, smiley-faced cardigan and scarf and ‘F**ck’-printed denim pants.Instagram: @hoswearofficial

HOS:

For New Delhi-based Akashdeep Rawat, High On Street (HOS) is his way of bringing together contemporary elements and emerging cultures that are inspired by the streets. This can be seen through the use of vibrant colours and prints of HOS’s collections, including the hand-knitted, smiley-faced cardigan and scarf and ‘F**ck’-printed denim pants.

Instagram:@hoswearofficial

Struct:When classic silhouettes get a streetwear-style makeover, the result is Struct. Founded by Ragenee and Arushi, the brand lends sportswear basics a twist by experimenting with both structure and style. Their recent collection reimagines clothing for traditional sports such as tennis, golf and polo through their offerings of leather vests, shorts and cropped polos in terry towel fabric. The brand’s unique garments have also found fans in actor Sobhita Dhulipala and Colombian pop star Manuel Turizo.Instagram: @_struct

Struct:

When classic silhouettes get a streetwear-style makeover, the result is Struct. Founded by Ragenee and Arushi, the brand lends sportswear basics a twist by experimenting with both structure and style. Their recent collection reimagines clothing for traditional sports such as tennis, golf and polo through their offerings of leather vests, shorts and cropped polos in terry towel fabric. The brand’s unique garments have also found fans in actor Sobhita Dhulipala and Colombian pop star Manuel Turizo.

Instagram:@_struct

Bomaachi:Bomaachi’s philosophy is to be unfazed by the judgement of others and “not give a fu** about what other people think.” This is reflected in their rather unapologetic designs. Founded by Prince Shah in 2020, the Ahmedabad-based gender-neutral brand’s ‘Let them judge’ print can be found on T-shirts, hoodies and even tote bags, letting you be as authentic, raw and unfiltered as you want. Our picks include the ‘Feeling rich’ and ‘Too sober’ printed oversized T-shirts that can be teamed with jeans or shorts for a casual look, or under a blazer or jacket to up your street cred.Instagram: @bomaachi

Bomaachi:

Bomaachi’s philosophy is to be unfazed by the judgement of others and “not give a fu** about what other people think.” This is reflected in their rather unapologetic designs. Founded by Prince Shah in 2020, the Ahmedabad-based gender-neutral brand’s ‘Let them judge’ print can be found on T-shirts, hoodies and even tote bags, letting you be as authentic, raw and unfiltered as you want. Our picks include the ‘Feeling rich’ and ‘Too sober’ printed oversized T-shirts that can be teamed with jeans or shorts for a casual look, or under a blazer or jacket to up your street cred.

Instagram:@bomaachi

Toffle:Sustainability is at the heart of everything Kashish Gemini does, and that includes infusing it into his streetwear designs. You will find a whole collection of jeans, jackets, trousers and even gloves that are upcycled from discarded denims and deadstock material. New Delhi-based Gemini also provides customisation of his unconventional designs.Instagram: @_toffle

Toffle:

Sustainability is at the heart of everything Kashish Gemini does, and that includes infusing it into his streetwear designs. You will find a whole collection of jeans, jackets, trousers and even gloves that are upcycled from discarded denims and deadstock material. New Delhi-based Gemini also provides customisation of his unconventional designs.

Instagram:@_toffle

Balav:Designer Vaishnavi Bala had a vision to create a safe space that worked outside of the constructs of gender and societal norms. From oversized blazers to double-waisted denim cargo pants, Bala provides genderless streetwear that has an aesthetic that is cool and luxe. In her collection of upcycled clothes, Bala uses ‘unwanted’ garments in the form of crop tops, baggy pants and even bralettes.Instagram: @balavofficial

Balav:

Designer Vaishnavi Bala had a vision to create a safe space that worked outside of the constructs of gender and societal norms. From oversized blazers to double-waisted denim cargo pants, Bala provides genderless streetwear that has an aesthetic that is cool and luxe. In her collection of upcycled clothes, Bala uses ‘unwanted’ garments in the form of crop tops, baggy pants and even bralettes.

Instagram:@balavofficial

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