Nor Black Nor White: Pioneering India's craft revival with a contemporary flair
Interpreting the spirit of India into modern silhouettes is something that has been pursued time and again - commonly through traditional embroideries and textiles. Nor Balck Nor White, however, takes a step ahead by accentuating another quintessential element for which India has been continually celebrated - its vibrancy.
Founded by Mriga Kapadiya and Amrit Kumar in 2010, Nor Black Nor White is a contemporary wear label that looks towards the future with a firm grasp on India’s heritage. Through bold colours and contemporary shapes, the label reinterprets regional crafts and textiles that we can wear on the streets every day. In their collection, Nor Black Nor White brings forth a treasure trove of cool styles - from dip-dyed dresses and bottoms, a mashup of weaves from North Eastern infused into kaftans and jackets, bandhani patterns rendered into sporty tracksuits and more. While doing so, even the classic Chattai (woven mat) gets a makeover - transcending from a quintessential item found in Indian households to a quirky and fancy company for your hangouts and more.
The brand's quirkiness is deeply embedded in its DNA; evident from the distinct visual language and the diverse individuals who model for the label’s designs. They depart from conventional imageries and body types that have long represented fashion. Nor Black Nor White is also one of those few labels collaborating with their homegrown contemporaries such as Studio Lovebirds, and Kichu Jewellery, to name a few Their website also represents the works of many small businesses and emerging artists as well -from everyday day, everywhere jewellery to decorative door hangings.
Nor Black Nor White adeptly shines a spotlight on India's vanishing art forms by infusing visually captivating designs and contemporary shapes. True to its name, the brand embodies the essence of balance, steering clear of extremes. It strikes a harmonious middle ground, offering innovative yet approachable designs that resonate with the current zeitgeist without veering into excessiveness or traditionalism.
While the modernization of traditional Indian crafts is increasingly prevalent, particularly among homegrown names, Nor Black Nor White stands out as one of the few labels to have achieved this on a large scale. A brand worth noting when it comes to stocking up on both playful and timeless pieces, Blur The Border wishes to see many more ways in which the label will continue to reinterpret Indian crafts in the future.
