When Colour isn’t Just Aesthetic but an Identity: How NorBlack NorWhite is Unlearning the Binary One Print at a Time

NorBlack NorWhite is a contemporary fashion and cultural label founded by Mriga Kapadiya and Amrit Kumar, known for its vibrant use of colour, bold prints, and a deep commitment to honouring traditional Indian textile arts. Rooted in a philosophy that challenges binaries, whether in identity, design, or culture, the brand blends age-old craftsmanship, such as bandhani, ikat, and zardozi, with streetwear-inspired silhouettes. Based in India but globally recognised, NorBlack NorWhite operates not just as a clothing brand but as a platform for storytelling, community-building, and cultural expression through fashion.

From Canada to Kutch: The Story Behind the Brand

Founded in 2009 by Mriga Kapadiya and Amrit Kumar, two creatives raised in Toronto who decided to take a leap of faith and explore the diverse textile traditions of India. What started as a curiosity-fuelled journey through handloom clusters and artisan communities soon evolved into a vibrant design studio that challenged the norms of fashion and identity. Their time spent travelling across India’s craft belts exposed them to a wide spectrum of dyeing, weaving, and hand embroidery designs, many of which were fading out of mainstream relevance.

With no background in formal fashion education, Mriga and Amrit brought with them a global lens shaped by their upbringing in Canada. They blended this sensibility with their admiration for Indian craftsmanship to create a brand that questions cultural binaries and pushes aesthetic boundaries. NorBlack NorWhite became their way of amplifying heritage while playing with silhouettes, celebrating colour, and building long-term collaborations with artisans. For them, it was never just about clothes; it was about community, culture, and reclaiming the in-between.

Not Just Fashion, But a Cultural Force

Their USP lies in the way they combine traditional Indian textile techniques like bandhani and ikat with edgy, contemporary silhouettes, creating pieces that are both rooted and rebellious. The brand also places storytelling at the heart of its design process, often releasing limited-edition drops inspired by cultural themes, music, or new social movements. Every garment is not just a product but a statement about identity, plurality, and the beauty of contradictions.

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What sets them apart also presents unique challenges. Working with hand-dyed and handwoven fabrics means slower production cycles and higher costs, which can conflict with the fast-paced demands of the global fashion industry. Ensuring consistency while collaborating with independent artisans scattered across the country can be logistically complex. Furthermore, building a brand that blurs the line between art and fashion in an industry driven by seasonal trends can make commercial growth challenging. Yet, NorBlack NorWhite thrives precisely because it dares to move differently, building slowly, mindfully, and with purpose.

A Riot of Colour: The NorBlack NorWhite Wardrobe

From their cult-favourite BomBomber jackets, reversible, oversized, and bursting with hand-dyed patterns, to vibrant co-ord sets, sarongs, and draped dresses, every piece is a wearable artwork. Their silhouettes are fluid, often gender-neutral, and layered with cultural references, making them perfect for those who like their fashion with a dash of resistance.

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The brand plays with textures, shapes, and traditional dyeing methods to bring out one-of-a-kind garments. Think psychedelic bandhani hoodies, street-style ikat trousers, hand-painted shirts, and even statement-making sweatshirts and capes. Their collections are often released in small batches, reflecting their commitment to slow fashion. Prices typically range from ₹7,000 for simpler pieces to upwards of ₹18,000 for statement outerwear, reflecting the craftsmanship and labour behind each item. With every drop, they prove that conscious fashion can be loud, experimental, and unapologetically fun.

Where Fashion Becomes a Movement

By blending heritage techniques with global aesthetics and by challenging binaries of race, gender, and tradition, the brand has carved out a space where fashion becomes political, personal, and powerful. In a world of mass production and homogeneity, they offer something rare: garments that carry memory, identity, and a deep sense of place. As they continue to evolve, NorBlack NorWhite remains a reminder that style can be both statement and story, loud, layered, and always in motion.