Kartik Research Drops 15 One-Of-A-Kind Chintz Jackets in Collaboration With Dover Street Market London

Summary

• Kartik Research has officially released a highly exclusive capsule of 15 one-of-a-kind, hand-embroidered chintz jackets at Dover Street Market London
• The launch coincides with the opening of Photo London 2026, celebrating the intersection of visual arts and high-level craftsmanship
• Drawing inspiration from historic palampore textiles, the jackets are sustainably constructed using fabrics sourced from the brand’s previous seasons

As Kartik Kumra‘s meteoric rise through the global fashion ranks continues, his artisanal label is bringing a masterclass in traditional Indian craftsmanship to the UK. To celebrate the occasion of Photo London 2026, New Delhi-based brand Kartik Research has partnered with Dover Street Market London for an incredibly rare release. Available starting today, the label has dropped a meticulously crafted series of 15 one-of-a-kind, hand-embroidered chintz jackets, blending deep cultural heritage with sustainable, contemporary design practices.

A core tenet of Kartik Research has always been to reintroduce a profound sense of “humanness” into clothing, ensuring every garment features a distinct, handmade touch. This exclusive capsule doubles down on that philosophy. The jackets draw heavy visual inspiration from historic palampore textiles—elaborately hand-painted and mordant-dyed Indian fabrics historically used for bed coverings and hangings. To reinterpret this rich visual language for the modern wardrobe, the brand utilized a sustainable material reuse process, constructing each jacket from fabrics sourced from Kartik Research’s previous seasons to give them a renewed context and purpose.The craftsmanship on display is painstakingly intricate. Throughout the 15-piece collection, tonal kantha-style outline embroidery is used to add rich texture and depth while maintaining a restrained, highly wearable palette. One of the absolute standout pieces in the capsule features a base textile created through a deeply organic botanical dye process. To achieve the look, leaves were boiled directly with silk, producing a natural, organic print that was then heavily layered with tonal embroidery.

This level of dedication to old-world craftsmanship is exactly why Kumra has become one of the industry’s most exciting young voices. By collaborating closely with master artisans to revive forgotten Indian crafts—from 60s psychedelic rock aesthetics to 80s Indo-modernist art—Kartik Research has captured the attention of the global fashion elite. Following a massive 2025 where he won the FTA Guest Country Award for India and was named to both the BoF 500 and the Time 100 list, Kumra is currently making waves as a semi-finalist for the prestigious 2026 LVMH Prize.

Because of the highly specific material reuse and artisanal hand-embroidery required to create them, these 15 jackets will never be reproduced. For collectors of true artisanal fashion, this capsule represents a rare opportunity to own a unique piece of wearable art from one of menswear’s brightest rising stars. The collection is available now, exclusively at Dover Street Market London.