Backstage with Blur the Border

Blur the Border
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  • FASHION & BEAUTY
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Backstage with Blur the Border is now live with the second edition of the podcast where we go behind the scenes with the founders and creative visionaries of India's leading homegrown labels. Hosted by Aishwarya Avlani, a brand consultant and content creator, she speaks to the founders of these brands to understand their entrepreneurial journey, and uncovers step-by-step, what goes into the making of a successful homegrown label. Each episode is packed with insights so if you're a budding entrepreneur looking to break into the fashion, beauty, or lifestyle industry, we promise you'll leave with valuable takeaways. The podcast series is presented by Blur the Border, a digital editorial platform that discovers and celebrates the powerhouses currently strengthening India’s homegrown landscape. New episodes release every week! Follow the podcast to stay updated.  To discover more, head to: https://blurtheborder.com/ or find us on Instagram @blurtheborder_  Reach out to us at hello@blurtheborder.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Craft, Waste, and Vision: Ritwik Khanna’s Model for Fashion’s Future

    AUG 8

    Craft, Waste, and Vision: Ritwik Khanna’s Model for Fashion’s Future

    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.

    42 min
  2. Beyond Streetwear: Dhruv Khurana's Vision for Almost Gods

    12/02/2024

    Beyond Streetwear: Dhruv Khurana's Vision for Almost Gods

    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.

    53 min
  3. Reviving Craftsmanship: Monica Shah on Jade’s Grassroots Vision

    11/25/2024

    Reviving Craftsmanship: Monica Shah on Jade’s Grassroots Vision

    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.

    39 min
  4. Craft, Community, and Storytelling: Sreesha Shetty, Founder of ShopLune

    08/29/2024

    Craft, Community, and Storytelling: Sreesha Shetty, Founder of ShopLune

    Creating came very naturally for Sreesha Shetty, the founder of Lune, a handcrafted female-run jewelry label that has become a favorite among stylists and celebrities. What we love about Sreesha’s journey is that she focused on creating a brand that isn’t trend-driven but is rather a result of her artistic vision. The brand believes in creating statement and everyday jewelry that is classic and enduring. Now with two stores in Mumbai and Goa, and a thriving online presence, Lune, which started out for Sreesha as a passion project has evolved into one of India’s leading jewelry labels for handcrafted concept jewelry. For budding entrepreneurs, who want to create a brand that is an extension of their creativity, this is a must! 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  Chapters:  00:00 Intro  01:32 Sreesha’s Journey from Journalism to Jewellery 02:59 The Birth of ShopLune 03:40 Crafting Collections with Local Artisans 06:59 Building a Community and Organic Growth 08:49 The Growth of Celebrity Endorsements and PR 11:48 Lune’s Foray into Retail 14:33 Unique Jewelry Collections 16:32 Impact of Environment on Creativity 18:51 Finding Inspiration in Birmingham: The Founding Days of Lune 20:39 Spotlighting Homegrown Labels 22:00 Evolution of Jewelry Trends in India 24:15 Creating Timeless Pieces with Lune 26:22 On the Launch of Lune Fine 27:41 On Her Mother Joining the Team 30:24 Jewelry as Heirlooms: Personal Stories 32:35 Quick Q&A: Know the Founder 37:44 Future Plans and Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min
  5. Building a Belief-Led Brand with Raul Rai, Co-founder of Nicobar

    08/22/2024

    Building a Belief-Led Brand with Raul Rai, Co-founder of Nicobar

    In this episode of Backstage with Blur the Border, host Aishwarya Avlani sits down with Raul Rai, the co-founder of the lifestyle brand Nicobar. Raul shares insights into his entrepreneurial journey, beginning with his private equity and investment banking background to co-founding Nicobar with Simran Lal. The discussion delves into the brand's philosophy of mindful consumption, creating timeless designs, and maintaining a balance between aspiration and accessibility. Raul also touches on the importance of learning from customers, the role of luck in success, and the personal growth that comes from stepping outside one's comfort zone. The conversation is engaging, philosophical, and filled with valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. 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  Chapters:  00:00 Intro  00:51 From Ideation to Execution: The Birth of Nicobar 05:10 Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone and Embracing the Beginner’s Mindset  07:42 The Role of Design and Team in Nicobar 08:26 How to Make Your Brand Stand Out  10:12 Raul’s Switch from Private Equity to Entrepreneurship 13:33 A Day in the Life of an Entrepreneur  16:30 The Role of Serendipity in Brand Success 24:45 On Working with your Partner 30:59 Hiring for Passion: The Nicobar Approach 32:09 Key Insights from Launching an Omnichannel Brand  32:46 The Importance of Storytelling in Branding 36:08 The Customer Perception of a Brand // On Becoming the Go-to Brand for Gifting  39:29 On Staying True to Your Brand DNA  42:11 Balancing Brand Identity with Customer Needs 46:46 Future Vision for Nicobar 51:30 Know the Founder   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    56 min
  6. The Creative Force Behind Valliyan: Nitya Arora

    08/01/2024

    The Creative Force Behind Valliyan: Nitya Arora

    Nitya Arora founded Valliyan at just 21—one of the country’s pioneering concept jewelry brands. Over the past decade, she has been a key figure in the homegrown brand revolution. While Valliyan remains central to her work, Nitya’s talents span curation, styling, and creative direction across the fashion and beauty industries. In this episode, we explore her journey, industry insights, and the significant milestones of 2024, including a stunning Lakme Fashion Week presentation and a new store in Kala Ghoda, Mumbai 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  Chapters:  00:00 Intro  01:40 The New Valliyan Speakeasy  03:18 Valliyan Show at Lakme Fashion Week  05:39 Relevance of Fashion Shows Today  09:21 Starting a Brand at 21 and Finding Early Success 14:00 Managing Valliyan While Studying at Parsons  16:10 The Growth of Fashion Jewellery as a Segment in India  17:00 How Nitya’s Punjabi Heritage has Inspired the Brand  20:46 On Valliyan’s Sustainable Collection that was ahead of its Time  24:49 Valliyan’s Take on India’s Homegrown Label Industry 33:12 The Importance of Building A Personal Brand for a Founder 37:21 Know the Founder  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    43 min
  7. People, Stories, and Collaboration with Pranav Kirti, Co-founder of Huemn

    07/25/2024

    People, Stories, and Collaboration with Pranav Kirti, Co-founder of Huemn

    Each brand founder wants to create a successful brand yet the formula to success is actually not formulaic at all. Case in point: Huemn. As a brand that has built a loyal community since its inception, Pranav Kirti, the co-founder explains that the brand has never been transactional. It has always been about embracing individuality and allowing stories and people to take center stage. Along with this, a poetic perspective on life can go a long way. This episode is different but just as insightful and serves as a masterclass on balancing creativity and its delicate balance with entrepreneurship. 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  Image Source (in order of Appearance): Websites of Huemn, Rahul Mishra, Amit Aggarwal, Bodice Chapters:  00:00 Intro  01:30 Royal Enfield x Huemn Collaboration  03:02 On Building a Community and Loyal Following  04:47 How Huemn Approaches Collaborations + Collaboration with Pepsi 07:35 We’re in the Golden Era for Homegrown Labels  10:25 Pranav’s Go-to Homegrown Labels 11:35 How It All Began: The Journey of Discovering Your Brand  14:07 Embracing Versatility for your Brand  17:31 “Art is Always Bigger than the Artist; the Artist is Bigger than the Stage” 19:23 Building the Right Team  21:22 Huemn’s Global Positioning and the Origins of Streetwear  26:06 Why Pranav Decided to Start His Own Label  29:53 Building a Poetic Point of View and Way of Being  31:15 On Fashion School and Early Dreams  35:07 Know the Founder  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    42 min
  8. Making Luxury Matter with Shivam Punjya, Founder of behno New York

    07/18/2024

    Making Luxury Matter with Shivam Punjya, Founder of behno New York

    What led Shivam Punjya, an academic and researcher to start a premium brand retailing leather handbags? From the outside, it may seem puzzling but it isn’t when you learn that social impact pervades every step of production at design at Behno. Born and raised in California, Shivam launched Behno in the US. Now a favorite among homegrown labels in India, Behno recently signed Katrina Kaif as the brand ambassador for its Indian launch. In this episode, we explore Behno's growth story and how Shivam has created a brand at the intersection of luxury and social impact. 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  Chapters:  00:00 Intro  01:43 Behno’s Launch in India  02:26 Katrina Kaif x Behno 05:25 Creating a Brand for Social Impact 10:29 How Brands Can Adopt Conscious Production 14:42 Challenging Design and Aesthetic Stereotypes  17:09 The Hidden Meaning in Behno’s Handbag Design  19:51 The Pivot from Ready-to-Wear to Handbags  21:01 Why the Brand was Named ‘Behno’ 22:59 Shivam’s Take on India’s Homegrown Industry 25:59 On Collaboration & Go-To Homegrown Labels  30:27 How Brands Can Increase International Representation 31:29 The Day-to-Day of Running a Brand  34:01 “I Never Thought I’d be the Founder of a Fashion Brand” 36:54 Know the Founder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    40 min
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About

Backstage with Blur the Border is now live with the second edition of the podcast where we go behind the scenes with the founders and creative visionaries of India's leading homegrown labels. Hosted by Aishwarya Avlani, a brand consultant and content creator, she speaks to the founders of these brands to understand their entrepreneurial journey, and uncovers step-by-step, what goes into the making of a successful homegrown label. Each episode is packed with insights so if you're a budding entrepreneur looking to break into the fashion, beauty, or lifestyle industry, we promise you'll leave with valuable takeaways. The podcast series is presented by Blur the Border, a digital editorial platform that discovers and celebrates the powerhouses currently strengthening India’s homegrown landscape. New episodes release every week! Follow the podcast to stay updated.  To discover more, head to: https://blurtheborder.com/ or find us on Instagram @blurtheborder_  Reach out to us at hello@blurtheborder.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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