10 months ago
Indian Sneaker Brands Gain Traction Through Unique Collaborations
Imagine your favorite shoe brands deciding to team up with cool people like rappers or chefs to make special, limited-edition sneakers!
That's what's happening in India.
Brands like Comet and Gully Labs are creating unique shoes inspired by things like noodle bars or popular music.
These special sneakers often sell out super fast because people want something unique that tells a story.
Indian sneaker companies are also learning from big global brands but are adding their own special Indian flair.
They're using traditional designs, popular foods, and even colorful snack packaging for inspiration.
These collaborations help smaller Indian brands get noticed and loved by young people who want to express their individuality.
Events celebrating sneaker culture are also growing bigger, showing that India's sneaker scene is becoming very exciting.
Indian homegrown sneaker brands are gaining popularity through unique collaborations with artists, chefs, and cultural elements.
Limited edition drops, such as Comet X Naru and Gully Labs' collaboration with rapper Raga, are selling out rapidly.
Brands are differentiating themselves by focusing on storytelling, unique designs inspired by Indian pop culture, food, and traditional motifs.
The Indian sneaker market is expanding, with homegrown brands increasing their retail presence and manufacturing capabilities.
Future trends point towards the comeback of retro runner silhouettes, increased limited drops, and a focus on comfort, particularly appealing to consumers in smaller cities.
- Who
- Indian homegrown sneaker brands like Comet, Gully Labs, ARKS, Neeman's, CHNKS, and 7-10 Sneakers.
- What
- These brands are collaborating with rappers, chefs, and popular culture elements to create unique, limited-edition sneakers.
- Where
- Primarily in India, with launches in Bengaluru and Delhi, and festivals in Mumbai.
- When
- Recent launches in August, with trends and predictions for 2025 and 2026.
- Why
- To stand out in a market dominated by global giants, create strong brand stories, appeal to younger consumers seeking identity, and leverage 'Instagrammable' designs.
Key facts
- Comet X Naru Drop
- 400 pairs sold out in under an hour at Bengaluru store.
- Gully Labs x Raga Collaboration
- 'Aandhi Kobicha' sneaker sold out first run.
- Comet Retail Stores
- Three locations: Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi.
- Gully Labs Manufacturing Capacity
- 4,000-8,000 shoes per month.
- Comet Manufacturing Capacity
- 2,000 basic models, 400-800 limited drops per month.
- Indian Sneaker Festival
- Growing event with over 100 brands participating.
Quotes
Utkarsh Gupta
co-founder of Comet
“While the design may be from 10 or 20 years ago, the new shoes will have eclectic colourways and be extremely comfortable. You can run in them and use them as regular sneakers too.”
livemint.com
“We’d announced that we’d stock 200 pairs (each priced ₹5,899) in-store and over 200 people queued up before opening time.”
livemint.com
Nikunj Duggal
co-founder of the Indian Sneaker Festival
“Until last year, we only had homegrown brands setting up stalls at the fest. In our January edition this year, held in Delhi, we had mainstream brands like Puma, New Balance and Sketchers exhibiting with us. That’s how the festival has grown. The December edition has over 100 brands taking part.”
livemint.com
“Youngsters today are not sticking to generic brands, instead they are looking for brands with strong storytelling that will help give them a distinctive identity. Also, these products need to be Instagrammable.”
livemint.com
Nandith Jaisimha
a partner of the Crack in the Pavement event
“For up and coming brands who may find an Indian Sneaker Festival out of bounds, intimate ones like ours act as a testing ground to gain an understanding of their customers.”
livemint.com
“There are some really young premium India sneaker brands getting ready for launch and I cannot wait to try them out.”
livemint.com
Arjun Singh
co-founder of Gully Labs
“This wasn’t just a quick name-tag collab for the sake of things. Instead it was a series of conversations that we had with him to come up with a design that aligned with both our visions.”
livemint.com
Sources
Related news
Monk Eilmer of Malmesbury saw Halley's Comet 600 years before Edmond Halley
Amazon's AI Shopping Trial Sparks Retailer Backlash
Amazon Sues AI Startup Over Autonomous Browser
Mozilla Introduces 'AI Window' to Firefox Amid AI Browser Competition
