With the slightest nip in the air, Mumbai folks are infamously off to grab sweaters and jackets. As much as Delhites scoff at this behaviour, here we are, gearing up for the layering season. This year tho, we’re taking a break from our go-to fast fashion labels and turning towards homegrown picks; we hope you are too! From aesthetically-pleasing knitwear to comfy outerwear, these local labels are bringing their A-game with cosy winter fits. So go ahead and bookmark them! Trust us–they’re handy, whether you stay in a city with a legit winter season, a place where the only cold weather you experience is in 24×7 air-conditioned rooms, or just because you love winterwear!
1. Khajoor Studio
Next-gen designers are identifying a market-gap around knitwear and introducing stunning pieces to counter it. Meet Khajoor, a homegrown label born this October—its debut Fall/Winter ’21 collection titled Move, features sweaters, cardigans and crochet caps made by artisans from Himachal Pradesh. On the hunt for minimal designs blended with beautiful earthy tones? This collection hits the brief!
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2. Studio Medium
For the folks in cities where winter makes a cameo appearance, New Delhi-based Medium’s latest drop of jackets is perfect. It works well for light layering. And it’s high on comfort and aesthetics. We love the prints and textures–all inspired by Claude Monet’s impressionist painting named ‘The Water Lily Pond’.
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3. Margn
Margn may have begun as a menswear label, but patrons have made its knitwear gender-fluid. From sleeveless fits to textured silhouettes and cosy jumpers, the pieces are knitted using merino wool and cotton by an all-women team from their homes in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. While the label has entered the closets of fashion enthusiasts domestically, it has also made a presence in the international fashion landscape, following its Fall ’21 showcase at London Fashion Week.
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4. Zilzom
Heading for a winter wedding among snow-clad mountains? Great; you’ll surely need something that will allow you to enjoy the occasion in style. Of course, without your teeth chattering from the cold! Turn to Zilzom for its opulent bridal logor capes–a sure-shot way of amping your festive look. Ladakh-based Stanzin Palmo launched the label in 2018 as a way for people to recognise the culture, crafts and local textiles like Pashmina (Lena) and wool (Nambu) of that region.
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5. Peoli
Launched by two NID textile graduates Abhinav Dhoundiyal and Vasanthi Veluri, Peoli’s home is in Uttarakhand’s Almora. The label works with women artisans to develop a range of handmade woollen and cotton products. Take your pick from an array of options housed at this design studio—knitwear for adults and kids, shawls, overcoats and accessories are up for grabs.
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6. House Of Saloni Jain
Add some vibrancy to your winter wardrobe with colour-blocked sweaters from House of Saloni Jain. The young designer is reviving the art of Hand Flat Knitting (a traditional industrial method and technique only familiar to Indian artisans) through her eponymous label.
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7. Two Point Two Studio
This agender streetwear label should be right up your alley if you’re a sucker for oversized jackets. Anvita Sharma’s Two Point Two Studio has a wide selection of funky outwear with off-beat prints and designs. You’re bound to make a statement with them!
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8. All Things Kashmir
There’s nothing richer and more exquisite than a Pashmina shawl, we believe. Searching for one? Check out All Things Kashmir, a nascent label from Srinagar. The newest collection Dar-e-Khizan features Kani shawls and Pashmina scarves in solid colours, patterns and fine embroidery. Founders Mir and Zahoor’s venture believes in a ‘One Hand One Designer’ philosophy, wherein each piece of craft has been embroidered by only one master embroiderer. This ensures that each piece is the craftsman’s canvas and that unique craftsman brings his creativity and skill to the fore, for the person eventually wearing it. We’re sold!
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