Kahani Streetwear
About
This project involved developing brand identity and graphics for a clothing brand called Kahani Streetwear. Kahani Streetwear, developed by me, fosters cultural exchange through storytelling and fashion. Each seasonal apparel line explores a region's particular artistic style and culture, designed in collaboration with artists from the respective regions, to bring these narratives into everyday life. Through wearable art, Kahani bridges cultural gaps, challenges misrepresentation, and redefines the American identity by making untold stories seen, heard, and shared.
Brand Identity
The Kahani brand identity is designed to evoke feelings of connection and culture, while still presenting as a streetwear brand. The logo is designed to represent an embracing heart, and flipped is a designed to represent a person in movement. The shapes and connections in the logo are inspired by the functioning of a sewing machine and the way in weaves thread. The logo can also be used in a pattern to create an interwoven, intricate design element. Below are a few renditions of these, as well as some brand guidelines and showcase.
Memories of Monsoon
Memories of Monsoon is the first collection of the brand and is based on India's monsoon season, its flora, and traditional Indian art styles. The collection highlights six flowers found in India that bloom during the monsoon. The illustrations are based on an Indian textile dyeing style called Kalamkari and features Hindi typography. The word featured in designs translates to "bloom" and is used to challenge the destructive notions usually associated with monsoons, and instead celebrate the life and growth that the rain brings. This part of the project includes textile graphic design, photography, and storytelling.
Indigo Winter Saffron Spring is a handmade saree/ tapestry made as part of the Memories of Monsoon collection. It explores the complexities of dual identity, feeling both enriched and fragmented by two distinct cultures. Inspired by the intricate weaves of Indian textiles and the bold imagery of traditional American tattoos, this work draws upon these forms to craft narratives that connect past and present. The work is informed by the histories of colonization and cultural exchange that have shaped Indian-American identity. Indigo Winter Saffron Spring, merges cultural symbols and materials to transform feelings of disconnection into resilience. This piece seeks to celebrate cultural hybridity and inspire others to find belonging in liminal spaces. The piece is dyed using traditional Indian dye techniques and is painted using paints made by me using naturally found pigments from India: madder root and indigo. The piece measures 4ft by 10ft. This work was selected for and featured in the STAMPS Undergraduate Juried Exhibition.
