- #HGWORLD
- #HGCREATORS
- #HGEXPLORE
- #HGVOICES
- #HGSHOP
- CAREERS
- ABOUT US
- CONTACT US
On an evening in Kolkata, as the city prepares for its grandest festival, the air hums with anticipation. Streets are transformed into galleries, and every corner brims with installations that blur the lines between tradition and modernity. Amidst this, siblings Srishti and Yuvraj Gourisaria are sketching out their own celebration of culture through fashion with their label, KNN Calcutta.
Growing up, Srishti and Yuvraj were no strangers to sewing machines and fine fabrics. Their grandfather, Sri Om Prakash Ji Gourisaria, had laid the foundation with Kanchana Sarees back in 1967. “We grew up around color wheels and fabric swatches,” they reminisced in an interview with The Telegraph. This exposure wasn’t just background noise, it was the overture to their own adventure.
The idea of KNN Calcutta germinated in their school years. The name itself is an affectionate nod to their roots — an abbreviation of KaNchaNa, their family’s original venture. “We wanted to keep our brand connected to our family business in whatever way possible,” they explained, underscoring the continuity between past and present.
But KNN Calcutta isn’t resting on heritage alone. The siblings are channeling the energy of Kolkata’s streets into their designs, capturing the city’s duality of chaos and calm. Every collection is a vivid mix of graphic tees, printed jackets, and more that don’t just clothe but converse. Each piece tells a story, much like the city they hail from — layered, eclectic, and bold.
Their designs are reflections of Kolkata. A recent piece draws inspiration from Durga Puja festivities when Kolkata metamorphoses into an open-air museum. Every neighborhood presents its own pandal. “Ecstatic, curious, and eager, we Calcuttans wait for these nine days with utmost bated breath,” they write as accompaniment to the graphic tee.
This intimate connection to Kolkata isn’t just thematic, it’s integral to their creative process. Yuvraj notes that inspiration strikes from the most unexpected sources — a certain NFT, the packaging of a European chocolate — elements that are then woven into their pieces. “We look at things from a fashion and art perspective and try to translate them into our designs,” he explains.
KNN Calcutta arrives at a pivotal moment for Indian streetwear. The market has rapidly evolved since international brands like Yeezy and Nike Air Max first landed in the country in 2015. Homegrown labels are now capturing the imagination of a fashion-conscious audience eager for something that resonates with their identity.
Their approach to fashion is as much about ethics as it is about aesthetics. They are mindful of their choices — sourcing materials domestically, favoring natural fabrics, and ensuring fair working conditions. They maintain a healthy and safe working environment for workers and make sure to steer clear of the evils of fast fashion. All their production happens close to home, allowing them to be hands-on and responsive. This proximity is philosophical, reinforcing their commitment to community and quality.
KNN Calcutta is more than a brand. It’s a narrative stitched into fabric — a story of legacy, locality, and a leap into the contemporary fashion dialogue. In a market often saturated with fast fashion and fleeting trends, the Gourisaria siblings offer something enduring, rooted in authenticity. They invite us not just to wear their clothes but to partake in a shared cultural experience. As Kolkata continues to evolve, blending its storied past with the pulse of the present, KNN Calcutta embodies the spirit of a city that’s always moving, always becoming.
Follow KNN Calcutta here.
