In a landmark moment for Indian fashion, design collective NorBlack NorWhite has become the first Indian brand to sign a global collaboration deal with Nike. The streetwear-meets-culture label, founded by Amrit Kumar and Mriga Kapadiya, brings a fresh perspective to the global stage—blending fashion, identity, and South Asian heritage with bold artistic expression. This partnership isn’t just a win for the duo, but a seismic shift for the representation of Indian designers in the international fashion-sportswear space.
A Groundbreaking Nike x NorBlack NorWhite Collection:
The new Nike x NorBlack NorWhite collection is a vibrant tribute to colour, movement, and cultural roots. Designed as part of Nike’s global initiative to amplify diverse creative voices, the capsule features specially designed apparel and sneakers that celebrate both the dynamic energy of sportswear and the rich visual language of India’s textile traditions.
The standout pieces include:
A gender-neutral tracksuit set that incorporates tie-dye techniques—one of NorBlack NorWhite’s signature crafts—reimagined in bold neon hues.
A reworked Nike Air Max silhouette, with intricate detailing inspired by Indian block printing and street art from cities like Mumbai and Delhi.
Oversized graphic tees and jackets, emblazoned with messages of unity, resilience, and identity, reflecting the brand’s ongoing narrative around diasporic pride and community.
The collection, expected to launch in select cities worldwide and online, is not just wearable fashion—it’s a story told through fabric, form, and function.
Who are NorBlack NorWhite?
Founded in 2010, NorBlack NorWhite has carved a unique niche at the intersection of contemporary fashion and cultural preservation. Known for celebrating Indian textile techniques like bandhani, ikat, and hand-dyeing, the brand challenges colonial constructs of identity and colour. Their work is as much about activism and community as it is about clothing.
With this Nike collaboration, the duo moves beyond indie acclaim into global recognition—joining a league of creatives who have used fashion to redefine narratives.
Indian designers and sportswear: A growing bond
While NorBlack NorWhite may be the first Indian label to bag a global Nike deal, Indian creatives have increasingly made their mark in the sportswear scene:
Designer Anamika Khanna previously collaborated with Adidas Originals India on limited-edition pieces for fashion week.
Sabyasachi Mukherjee, known for his opulent bridal wear, launched a high-profile line with H&M that included athleisure-inspired elements.
In 2020, Masaba Gupta introduced activewear into her House of Masaba line, merging desi prints with gym-ready cuts.
However, what sets NorBlack NorWhite’s Nike collaboration apart is its international scale, its deeply rooted cultural storytelling, and its streetwear sensibility—a combination that resonates with the global Gen Z and millennial crowd looking for identity-driven fashion.
A cultural reset for Indian streetwear
This partnership signals a new chapter for Indian designers on the world stage. It challenges the West’s often narrow view of Indian fashion, which has long been pigeonholed into bridal couture or traditional ethnic wear. NorBlack NorWhite’s work with Nike reframes Indian creativity as progressive, contemporary, and unapologetically bold.
With streetwear continuing to dominate fashion and pop culture, this collaboration could spark a new wave of Indian street-style movements, inspiring a younger generation of homegrown designers to dream globally and create locally.
Watch the collab here:
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