Gully Labs
Delhi
In Delhi’s Panchsheel Park, it’s impossible to miss the massive 3D sneaker jutting out from one of the building’s façades, towering above a Devanagari-English sign that reads “गली Labs”. Painted in pristine white with vivid blue stitch-like patterns framing the installation, the exterior deliberately does not attempt subtlety but rather announces itself loud and bold. More than decoration, it stands as a declaration of the brand’s belief: “If you won’t say your name, the world won’t say it for you.” Founded in 2023 by Arjun Singh and Animesh Mishra to build India’s very own sneaker community, this marks the brand’s first physical store. A wooden-doored entrance sits in sharp contrast beneath the spectacle of the exterior installation, leading into a 3-floored store that feels less like traditional retail and more like a world of shoe-making. Interesting spatial details carry through the store, for instance, the painted blue stitch line that begins on the façade and continues inside as tile inlays across floors and walls otherwise defined by soft off-whites and greys. The ground floor is dedicated entirely to the brand’s collections—ranging from crafted leather pieces and everyday sneakers to vintage trainers that spotlight Indian craftsmanship. Shoe moulds are displayed alongside the collections, adding a subtle layer of world-building that nods to the craft of shoemaking.
A quick read of the space makes clear how the atmosphere oscillates between an industrial workshop—with its exposed ducts, brick panels, and metal railings—and an underground train station that is evoked by convex mirrors and signage-style destination boards that guide visitors to the ‘Karigar’ Labs and ‘Baithak’ on the upper floors. Upstairs, the store shifts into a lab-like setting with machines, tools and shoe patterns hung across the wall alongside artisans at work, almost like setting the stage for what lies beheld in the craft of shoemaking. The mood is part workshop, part gallery that carries a multifunctional energy. Adjacent to this is an exclusive Subko coffee counter styled with retro details, paired with a wall of vintage TVs looping sneaker visuals, creating a nostalgic-futuristic touch that nods to both pop culture and product. Finally, the Baithak area serves as a community hub, like a casual corner where visitors can pause, sip coffee, and gather. With the concept of retail in India already in an evolving momentum, it might seem that such formats are being used as performative tactics. Yet, with brands like Gully Labs eager to build an ecosystem and draw audiences into the entire universe of the brand’s functions, the effort feels authentic. It signals a shift toward an experiential economy, where what was once a supplementary layer in retail is now emerging as a product in its own right.
Address: Local Shopping Center, 14, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi, Delhi- 110017