From Elegantly Polished To Colourfully Chaotic: Homegrown Knitwear Labels On Our Radar

It’s that time of the year again - holidays and cold weather are upon us, and while sartorial enthusiasts in India throw caution to the wind and have been spotted wearing winter fits even in the peak of summer, post-November is definitely the ideal time to bring out your bring knitwear game. For those in colder areas, it is a functional requirement as well, and when you do layer up, you have to do it in style. 

There are many homegrown knitwear brands that are led by intention and a long-standing vision. For those looking to get the best of knitwear that India has to offer, we have curated this list. While these five brands may differ in their approaches, they are unified by their love for the intricate craft of knitwear design. 

1. Bitch and Two Sticks

Meghana Kiran’s deconstructed knitwear is one that has gained national and international acclaim of late. With her label Bitch and Two Sticks, Kiran crafts colourful knitted pieces and is essentially a fun menswear brand (an evident gap in the current market that she noticed), but honestly can be worn by anyone really. Taking a mindful approach to her designs, Kiran is a self-taught knitter who uses knitting techniques like Stockinette and Intarsia among many others to create one-of-a-kind pieces that are perfect for dopamine dressing that will make people stop in their tracks and add life to an otherwise dreary season.

Follow them here.

Taarini Anand

A knitwear designer who is originally from New Delhi, Taarini Anand is a design graduate from Istituto Marangoni, Milan and has a varied aesthetic. From the fact that she loves the 80s to the life experience that she holds close to learning the craft of knitting from her grandmother, her creative language is a reflection of her shifting interests and her many facets as a person. In an interview with Spring Tide Magazine, she talks about her unpredictable aesthetic and goes on to say, “If you were to compare any two collections of mine, they don’t look like they come from the same person. At the moment we’re being very quickly exposed to a wide range of possibilities in fashion and I’m in no rush to settle for a single one.”

Follow them here.

Meko Studio

For those who’re looking for polished knitwear, Meko Studio is your best bet. A brand that has a presence in India and London, Mehak Khosla started it with a vision to create a slow knitwear brand with timeless designs crafted by Indian artisans. Their focus on artisan partnerships, ethical practices, and being quality-driven and conscious is something Meko Studio takes pride in. With the intent to bridge the gap between traditional craftsmanship and modern silhouettes, the team works with rural artisans or artisanal brands to create chic pieces that range from ribbed bodycon dresses to boxy shirts. All their fabrics are coloured with natural/plant-based dyes and they work hard not to overproduce pieces and only make garments on order. 

Follow them here.

Ohku Studio

Based out of Kumaon in Uttarakhand, Oh KU is a knitwear brand that works with the women of the locality to help them generate income and livelihood. While their repertoire only features simple pieces like cropped vests, tops and wraps, the mastery in each piece is apparent. There are also a couple of pieces like the Pahadi Topi and Pahadi Jhola bag that are truly one-of-a-kind. The brand defines itself as an ever-evolving idea and has distanced itself from commercial pressure to explore, adapt and grow in its own way and pace. 

Follow them here.

MARGN

Started essentially as a fashion collective, MARGN was founded by designers Ranjit Yadav and Saurabh Maurya who debuted with a capsule collection. Taking the handknit approach towards creating functional workwear that has a crisp silhouette, the brand offers elevated knitwear with subtle symbolic details. Since its debut, the brand has found global acclaim - from being featured in multiple international magazines to being one of the top 10 global finalists for Mr Porter Futures. The brand seeks to study and interpret the human system through the medium of clothing, and to find ways to create pieces that reflect their hope to bring people together despite our plurality. 

Follow them here.

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