From New Delhi to New York: Kartik Research Brings Its "Indian Future Vintage" to the US
The Delhi-based LVMH Prize Semifinalist has slowly increased its presence in the US, gaining popularity for its craft-led design.
On April 19, Delhi-based brand Kartik Research will open its first US brick-and-mortar storefront in New York City’s Lower East Side. Setting up shop on Orchard Street, the brand joins a neighborhood of young, emerging brands and vintage designer boutiques.
In an interview with WWD, founder Kartik Kumra said, “New York’s been our biggest market from the start.” “We opened a store in Delhi last year, but this is our first significant foray into retail. When I was in college in Philly, I would come up for the weekend; I’ve done pop-ups with Colbo down the street since I was 20 years old. We’ve been wholesaling through them and a few other retailers around the city for a few years now.”
Established by Indian designer Kartik Kumra in 2021, Kartik Research has gained recognition for its craft-led designs inspired by a mixture of Indian heritage and the bohemian countercultures of the 20th century. The designer, who went to university in Pennsylvania, went on to become an LVMH Prize Semifinalist in 2023.
The multi-brand retailer Colbo was a fitting venue for Kartik Research’s earlier pop-ups. With brands like Cawley, SK Manor Hill, and Colbo’s in-line collection, the retailer’s curation focuses on neutral colors, roomy silhouettes, and high-quality construction. Kumra’s handmade and naturally dyed garments, produced in India, boast warm tones and heritage-inspired embellishments like tassels, embroidery, and instarsia knits.
