What does it take to build a fashion brand that challenges the fast-paced fashion system while reimagining the value of what we discard? For Ritwik Khanna, founder of Rkive City, the answer lies in treating post-consumer textile waste not as refuse, but as raw material for storytelling, innovation and design.

In this episode, Ritwik walks us through his journey from growing up in a textile family in Amritsar to studying at FIT in New York, and how time spent working in Gujarat’s wastehouses led to the founding of Rkive City. More than just a fashion label, Rkive City functions as a research and design house committed to circular systems, responsible production and garments that carry meaning.

With thoughtful collaborations such as the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation and Karthik Research, and recent milestones like Milan Fashion Week, Rkive City offers a model for how India can lead the global shift toward a more intentional and regenerative fashion industry.

Presented By: Blur the Border

Hosted By: Tahira Chawla

Produced By: Blur the Border

Audio-Video Production & Post-Production: SpacePepper Studios

Chapter Markers

03:45 Where do you envision Rkive City?

04:50 On collaborating with PDKF and Kartik Research

10:20 On working with denim

22:17 The over burden on supply chain

23:52 Navigating growth while maintaining a zero waste model

27:37 Remanufacturing as a future for India

30:11 Industry support for young designers

35:47 Rkive City's collection at the Lakme Fashion Show

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How does a brand stand out in today’s competitive market? You differentiate, reveals Dhruv Khurana, the founder of Almost Gods, a brand that has steadily attracted a loyal following for their ability to breathe a fresh perspective into India’s burgeoning streetwear space. Almost Gods is, however, not only a streetwear brand. Through Dhruv’s creative vision, the brand draws from mythological, historical, and cultural symbols to tell stories through their offerings. The why behind the brand is answered as Dhruv reveals his background story and what drew him to this space. With a goal of making clothes that have global appeal but are rooted in India, Almost Gods is a homegrown brand whose journey has just begun.

Presented By: Blur the Border

Hosted By: Aishwarya Avlani

Produced By: Rhea Bhambhani and Blur the Border

Audio-Video Production & Post-Production: Canopy Media

Location Courtesy: Canopy Studios

Music: Licensed through Epidemic Sound

Chapter Markers

00:00 Intro

02:01 How Almost Gods Has Built a Community

03:12 On Dhruv’s Entrepreneurial Bug

07:56 How Almost Gods Was Conceived

09:34 The Early Days of the Brand

11:14 On Building a Team

13:20 On Stealing Ideas

13:58 On Not Being Afraid to Reinvent

16:54 On How to Stay Relevant

19:31 The Story Behind the Brand Name

21:00 On How to Make Your Brand Ethos Connect with your Consumer

23:09 Balancing Commercial Success with Creative Integrity

25:36 On Patenting & Trademarking

28:04 Almost Gods Design Process

32:23 When Ranveer Singh, Diljit Dosanjh, and Machine Gun Kelly Wore Almost Gods

33:33 On Challenging Retail Design

37:00 Almost Gods’ International Expansion

38:33 Approach to Collaborations

40:38 Dhruv’s Go-to Homegrown Brands & Advice for Budding Brands

44:20 The Future of Almost Gods in the Phy-digital Space

47:13 Know the Founder

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s episode 7 of Backstage with Blur the Border and in this episode, we have with us Monica Shah, one half of the dynamic duo who lead Jade, a brand that has gained recognition for blending India’s artisanal legacy with contemporary and modern-day ensembles. Most recently, Jade has launched the Grassroots Artisan Project, with a focus of showcasing indigenous craftsmanship techniques through ready-to-wear collections. Monica works closely with artisans who have gained expertise in a certain craft style and through their ingenuity, turns it into a motif through the Grassroots Project. For the brand, their mission is to preserve crafts and challenge the way in which we’ve worn them in India, while making it relevant to a global audience as well. In this episode, Monica speaks to host Aishwarya about the idea behind this project, Jade, and how they approach brand-building with this very important mission in focus.

Presented By: Blur the Border

Hosted By: Aishwarya Avlani

Produced By: Rhea Bhambhani and Blur the Border

Audio-Video Production & Post-Production: Canopy Media

Location Courtesy: Canopy Studios

Music: Licensed through Epidemic Sound

Chapter Markers

00:00 Intro

00:37 Introduction to the Host and Guest

00:57 Monica Dives Into The Grassroots Artisan Project

03:15 Reinventing Traditional Crafts

04:52 Cultural Sustainability and Modernization

05:22 The Future of Indian Couture

17:20 The Spirit of the Jade Woman

19:50 Challenges in Growing a Brand

21:28 Balancing Tradition and Modernity

23:57 The Role of Digital Storytelling

28:21 The Inception of Jade

30:28 How Monica’s Background in Interior Design Informs the Brand

31:42 On Collaborating with Museums

32:59 Go-to Homegrown Brands

33:35 Elevating Indian Design Globally

34:49 Looking Ahead

36:15 Know the Founder

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.