Kartik Research

What Kartik Research does

Kartik Research is a privately held artisanal fashion design house founded in 2021 by Kartik Kumra and headquartered in New Delhi, India. The company produces handcrafted clothing and accessories built around traditional Indian textile and embroidery techniques — including handloom weaving (cotton, linen, and silk from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, the Northeast, and West Bengal), Kantha, Aari, Rabari, Kasuti, and Zardozi embroidery, Ajrakh and block printing, Bandhani, and hand knitting by a women's cooperative in Almora, Uttarakhand. Products are organized into six core categories (jackets, bottoms, shirts, knits, jersey, and accessories), span menswear and womenswear, and retail from approximately $220 USD for a Chikankari jersey tee to $2,650 USD for a Chintz Chore Coat.

The business operates a hybrid go-to-market model combining direct-to-consumer sales through an owned Shopify storefront with global shipping, two company-owned physical retail locations (61 Orchard Street, New York and M Block Market GK2, New Delhi), and a curated wholesale network of 50+ premium stockists including Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdales, Dover Street Market, Mr. Porter, Galeries Lafayette, Browns, Lane Crawford, I.T., SKP-Select, and OGAAN. Regional wholesale distribution is operated via dedicated sales agencies in the UK/Europe, North America, Japan, and China. Marketing relies heavily on earned media in Vogue Runway, The New York Times, GQ, Wall Street Journal, and Business of Fashion, supplemented by Instagram and email.

Commercially, the brand is a founder-led independent operation with no disclosed external funding or parent entity. Founder Kartik Kumra has been recognized on TIME 100 Next (2025), Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia (2025), BOF500, and as an LVMH Prize semi-finalist. Revenue, headcount, and financial performance are not publicly disclosed; pricing, collection size (70+ items in SS26), and the breadth of the wholesale footprint are the principal scale signals available.

Name

Kartik Research

Legal name

Kartik Research

Website

https://kartikresearch.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Kartik Research is a New Delhi-based artisanal fashion house founded in 2021 by Kartik Kumra, producing handcrafted menswear and womenswear using traditional Indian textile and embroidery techniques, sold via DTC e-commerce, two owned stores, and 50+ premium global wholesale partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Artisanal Luxury Fashion Apparel

NAICS

Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (3159), Clothing and Clothing Accessories Retailers (458110), Apparel Manufacturing (315)

SIC

Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300), Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600), Women's, Misses', And Juniors Outerwear (2330)

akta.pro primary industry

Luxury Leather Goods & Handbags (CRAKAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Luxury Handbags & Leather Goods (CRAAAFAD), Wallets, Small Leather Goods & Accessories Manufacturing (IMAOAHAB)

Keywords

• Artisan fashion design
• Handcrafted luxury apparel
• Indian embroidery textiles
• Handloom woven clothing
• Heritage menswear womenswear

Headquarters

HQ city

New Delhi

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Direct Product Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales of artisanal clothing and accessories through owned Shopify e-commerce platform. Products include jackets, shirts, pants, knits, jersey items, dresses, and accessories. Prices range from $220 to $2,650 USD per item.
2. Wholesale Distribution: Wholesale distribution through global network of premium retailers including department stores (Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdales, Galeries Lafayette), specialty boutiques (Dover Street Market, Browns), and multi-brand stores across India, North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Middle East.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Kartik Research designs, produces, and sells handcrafted luxury apparel and accessories built around traditional Indian craft techniques such as Kantha, Aari, Rabari, Ajrakh, Kasuti, Zardozi embroidery, hand block printing, Bandhani tie-dye, and handloom weaving. The product portfolio spans menswear and womenswear categories (jackets, shirts, pants, knits, jersey, dresses, and leather accessories), priced from $220 to $2,650 USD. Items are sold direct-to-consumer through an owned Shopify storefront and two company-operated retail locations in New York and New Delhi, and distributed wholesale through 50+ premium stockists globally.

Product overview

Kartik Research is an artisanal fashion design house offering handcrafted clothing and accessories. The product portfolio centers on menswear and womenswear categories organized across six core product lines: Jackets (blazers, bombers, chore coats), Bottoms/Pants (trousers, cargo pants, shorts), Shirts, Knits (hand-knitted garments), Jersey (casual wear), and Accessories (leather goods). All products feature traditional Indian craft techniques including Kantha embroidery, Chikankari, Aari, Zardozi, Rabari stitchwork, Ajrakh printing, block printing, and handloom weaving. The brand collaborates with master artisans across India to revive forgotten crafts. Products are priced from $220 to $2,650 USD, with flagship items like the Atma Tote leather bag and Chintz Chore Coat representing the高端 end of the collection. The brand operates its own retail stores in New York and New Delhi, and sells through wholesale partners including Bergdorf Goodman, Dover Street Market, Browns, and Mr. Porter.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Jackets Collection

Quantifiable outcome

• Founded in 2021, brand has grown to include global wholesale network with 50+ stockists and two company-owned retail stores

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bergdorf GoodmancoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium department store retailer in New York, NY, offering Kartik Research products to luxury fashion consumers through their established retail presence.
• BloomingdalescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor department store chain with locations in New York and Los Angeles, providing broad distribution for Kartik Research products in North America.
• Dover Street MarketcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium multi-brand retailer with locations in New York, Los Angeles, Paris, London, and Tokyo. Aligns brand with other luxury fashion designers in curated retail environments.
• Mr. PortercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeading online luxury fashion retailer, providing global e-commerce distribution for Kartik Research menswear.
• Galeries LafayettecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLuxury department store in Mumbai, India, providing Indian market presence alongside OGAAN.
• OGAANcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium Indian fashion retailer in New Delhi, providing curated presence in Indian luxury fashion market.
• BrownscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium fashion retailer in London, UK, providing UK and European market access.
• I.TcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium Asian fashion retailer with locations across Hong Kong, China, and other Asian markets.
• Lane CrawfordcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium Asian department store chain with locations in Hong Kong, providing exposure to affluent Asian consumers.
• SKP-SelectcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium Chinese department store with locations in Beijing and Chengdu, providing access to Chinese luxury market.
• DM&SR London (Greg)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale contact for menswear distribution in UK/European markets.
• RIC NYC (Rachel)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale contact for womenswear distribution in North America.
• Inchoate Agency (Ryo)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale contact for distribution in Japan.
• The Coolhunter (Anqi)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale contact for distribution in China.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Lemaire: Paris-based artisanal ready-to-wear brand with quiet-luxury positioning, distributed through the same premium multi-brand doors as Kartik Research (Dover Street Market, Mr. Porter, Browns). Comparable as a peer on the buyer's shelf and aesthetic positioning.
• The Row: Quiet-luxury contemporary brand emphasizing craft, premium materials, and refined silhouettes, distributed through Bergdorf Goodman and other luxury department stores. Comparable on premium positioning, craft emphasis, and shared wholesale accounts.

Direct peers

• Sabyasachi: Indian luxury designer label anchored in heritage craft techniques and Indian textile traditions with global department-store and boutique wholesale. Comparable on craft-led luxury positioning, premium pricing, and multi-region distribution.
• Ritu Kumar: Heritage Indian luxury fashion house reviving traditional crafts including hand block printing, embroidery, and handloom weaving. Comparable on craft-revival narrative, premium positioning, and Indian artisan supply base.
• Pero: Indian artisanal fashion label focused on hand-block printing, embroidery, and traditional textiles across menswear and womenswear. Highly comparable on craft technique, Indian artisan sourcing, and premium global boutique distribution.
• Anita Dongre: Indian luxury fashion house with strong artisanal and craft heritage positioning, selling both menswear and womenswear through global wholesale and own stores. Closely comparable to Kartik Research on heritage craft storytelling, Indian origin, and premium price architecture.
• Manish Malhotra: Indian luxury fashion brand spanning couture, menswear, and accessories with strong celebrity and global wholesale presence. Comparable on premium Indian luxury positioning and global retail distribution.
• NorBlack NorWhite: Indian-based contemporary label combining traditional Indian textiles and crafts with modern silhouettes, distributed through premium global boutiques. Comparable on craft-meets-modern design philosophy and Indian origin.

Broad incumbents

• Bottega Veneta: Global luxury house renowned for artisanal leather craftsmanship (intrecciato) and quiet luxury positioning. Comparable as a craft-led luxury benchmark and wholesale partner at Bergdorf Goodman / Dover Street Market.
• Brunello Cucinelli: Italian luxury house built on handcraft, artisanal production, and humanistic values with premium global wholesale. Comparable as the leading scale exemplar of craft-led luxury pricing and positioning.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/kartikresearch

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kartik Research