South Asian designer Kartik Kumra is making a name for himself and shows no signs of slowing down. His label — Kartik Research — made its Paris Fashion Week debut last season, hosting an intimate presentation complete with a patchwork-style Baracuta collaboration. Just six months later, Kartik Research has taken to the runway to present his Spring/Summer 2025 collection that lays a path for South Asian creativity.
As the first Indian brand on the menswear calendar, Kartik Kumra is not just making a fashion statement, he’s making a cultural one. His work is a platform for South Asian talent, giving them a voice and a space to shine. While his designs often celebrate the bold and beautiful aspects of Indian culture, his SS25 collection takes a different approach. It delves into the everyday wardrobes of the inhabitants, blending casual sportswear with elevated tailoring and cultural signatures while being a true reflection of South Asia’s diverse way of life.
“The collection was a reflection of our previous seasons, where we’ve leaned very heavily on the romantic side of India. We were shooting the collections at palaces and places that have become known for tourism. Now, I wanted to balance that with this idea of uniform and what I see people in India wear,” Kumra tells Hypebeast backstage after wrapping up his showcase. “I look at the commutes of religious pilgrimages up mountains — they’ll be wearing wool coats and office clothes with a garland or wooden bead accents.”
Kartik Research upholds Indian textiles like no other, working with local craftsmen to produce exclusive fabrics by hand. While the collection took months to make, it was presented across 24 concise looks grounded in immense detail. Ornamented blazes donned floral embroidery along the collar and accessorized with mismatched garlands promoting local tradition. Patterned and sequinned workwear jackets built on the brand’s strong identity, accompanied by form-fitting trousers and patchwork denim with circular pocket embellishments. Detailed graphics were spread across the versatile menswear collection, featuring leaf-printed shirting, paisley neckties, and frayed outerwear — cementing Kartik Research as one to watch.
Take a closer look at Kartik Research’s SS25 collection in the gallery above, and stay tuned for more Paris Fashion Week content on Hypebeast.