Kartik Research Joins Mr Porter's Mentorship Incubator
In 2018, Net-A-Porter launched The Vanguard to give a leg up to emerging designers through an expertly curated incubator programme. Six years on, the womenswear retailer has partnered with its menswear arm, Mr Porter, to pool their resources and offer the recipients business support better than before.
And what’s even better for the guys who are regularly scrolling through the aforementioned store, is that fledging label Kartik Research has been chosen to be part of this year’s cohort, receiving two years of mentorship.
That’s good for two reasons. Kartik Kumra, the founder and creative behind his three-year-old brand, produces some reaaaally great clothes.
Made by fifty to sixty Indian artisans that he works closely with from his home of New Dehli, KR pieces honour its local heritage in a contemporary way.
“We wanted to create a wardrobe for the people that I interact with — photographers, stylists, other designers in Delhi — who are developing their own personal style while balancing that against more conservative backgrounds and Indian traditions.” Kumra told us in last year’s Autumn issue.
The second is that it enables funding to go to a designer that’s manufacturing pieces sustainably, in more ways than just using organic or recycled materials, the industry norm for brands labelled as environmentally conscious. In keeping with centuries-old practices, garments are made without electricity by traditional techniques that include different types of embroidery, printing and handloom weaving, while dyes are hand processed with natural ingredients like pomegranate and tree bark.
For the nine-piece capsule Kartik Research has created for Mr Porter, a digital ID has been embedded allowing its wearer to learn about the clothes' design and provenance, as well as offering access to styling tips and care and repair services – a first for the retailer under The Vanguard mentorship.
With casual (a pair of white trainers) to more refined (a double-breasted, embroidered blazer) pieces available, you’ve got the option to wear Kartik Research on any occasion. Another reason to be thrilled about.
Shop the Kartik Kumra x The Vanguard collection on mrporter.com.
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