When you think of Indian fashion, two names instantly come to mind, Manish Malhotra and Sabyasachi. Their mastery of couture and heritage has set the global stage for Indian luxury. But the story doesn’t end there.
Right now, a wave of independent Indian brands is taking the world by storm — not with bling, but with soul. These are labels that don’t just sell products. They sell legacy. Identity. Reinvention. Whether it’s handcrafted jewellery, contemporary fashion, or reimagined textiles, they’re weaving culture into every seam, every clasp, every stitch.
Here are 5 Indian-owned brands that aren’t just designing things, they’re telling stories. And they deserve your attention.
1. Tilla – Ahmedabad’s Best-Kept Secret
Tilla doesn’t believe in trends. It believes in time. Designer Aratrik Dev Varman’s slow fashion label crafts pieces that feel like poetry, minimal, earthy, and meditative. Think natural fabrics, hand embroidery, and silhouettes that flow with the body. It’s where the quiet dignity of Indian craftsmanship meets Japanese restraint.
Why it matters: Tilla works directly with artisans in Bengal and Gujarat, centering sustainability without the buzzwords. The brand’s strength lies in what it doesn’t scream, it simply speaks.
2. NorBlack NorWhite – Where Tradition Gets Loud
If there’s one brand rewriting the visual vocabulary of Indian textiles, it’s NorBlack NorWhite. Born out of a desire to reconnect with their roots, Toronto-raised founders Amrit Kumar and Mriga Kapadiya launched in 2010 after moving to Bombay. Their iconic “BomBombers” (reversible silk jackets) kicked off a movement rooted in respecting the past while remixing it for the now.
At its core, NorBlack NorWhite is pure love, bold storytelling, and a living, breathing expression of what it means to be at home in your body, identity, and craft.
3. Valliyan – Statement Jewellery, Bollywood Soul
Launched in 2008 by Nitya Arora, VALLIYAN brought a whole new language to Indian jewellery – bold, sculptural, and way ahead of its time. Mixing retro glam with futuristic edge, it plays with enamel, acrylic, raw metals and colour like no one else. From Lakmé Fashion Week to Aisha, and stars like Kim Kardashian, Nicki Minaj and Deepika — VALLIYAN’spieces don’t just accessorise, they announce. After a wild journey of pop-ups, trunk shows and cult moments, the brand returned in 2024 with a dreamy new flagship at Mumbai’s Rhythm House, a space built to escape, explore and express.
4. Okhai – Craft With a Face and Name
Every Okhai product carries the name of the woman who made it, quite literally. This community-first brand, born from a Tata initiative, trains rural women in traditional crafts and helps them build independent livelihoods. Their clothing is light, handcrafted, and refreshingly honest.
It’s fashion with a purpose. Okhai empowers hundreds of artisans across India, making slow fashion feel personal again.
5. Chamar Studio – Luxury That Challenges Power
The name itself is radical. ‘Chamar’ means a casteist slur reclaimed by founder and artist Sudheer Rajbhar, is now a badge of pride. Chamar Studio transforms recycled rubber into sleek bags and wallets, all made by Dalit leatherworkers in Mumbai.
It forces the fashion world to confront who gets to be part of luxury and who’s been excluded.
So… What Does This Have to Do With Luxury Retail?
Everything.
These aren’t just fashion brands. They’re value systems. They show that luxury today is no longer about opulence. It’s about origin. About impact. About how the product makes you feel and who made it.
At The School of Luxury Retail (TSOLR), we teach students to look beyond logos and into stories. To understand not just the trends, but the threads of culture, commerce, and community. We believe that Indian brands like these are shaping the new narrative of global luxury.
And whether you’re dreaming of working in fashion, building your own brand, or simply becoming a better consumer, this is where you start.
