Kartik Kumra Will Present His Vision of Indian Craftsmanship in Florence on January 13, 2027
Kartik Research, the New Delhi-based fashion label founded by designer Kartik Kumra, has been named Guest Designer for the 111th edition of Pitti Uomo, taking place in Florence in January 2027. The appointment marks an important international milestone for the young brand, whose contemporary approach to traditional Indian craftsmanship has attracted growing attention within the global menswear industry.
Kumra will stage a special presentation on January 13, exploring the historical relationship between Indian textiles and Florentine merchants. The project will examine centuries of cultural and commercial exchange, connecting the textile traditions that inform his work with Florence’s own history as a center of craftsmanship and trade.
Founded in 2021 under the name Karu Research, the label has developed a distinctive identity through its use of handwoven fabrics, intricate embroidery and traditional Indian textile techniques. Rather than reproducing historical garments, Kumra incorporates these practices into contemporary silhouettes, creating clothing that reflects both the cultural origins of its materials and the sensibilities of a new generation.
The designer works closely with Indian artisans, placing traditional methods of textile production at the center of the brand’s creative process. Handcraftsmanship is fundamental to the collections, giving individual garments a character that contrasts with the uniformity of industrial production.
The approach has helped establish Kartik Research as an emerging voice in contemporary menswear, earning Kumra recognition as a semifinalist for the 2026 LVMH Prize.
For Pitti Immagine, the selection reflects an interest in designers who bring distinct cultural perspectives to international fashion while advancing the possibilities of contemporary menswear.
“Indian techniques and textiles enter the global conversation, moving beyond the lens of exoticism to assert their intellectual and creative authority,” said Francesca Tacconi, Special Events Manager at Pitti Immagine.
“We cannot wait to welcome the revitalising spirit of his collections to Florence, with their remarkable ability to transform tradition into pure visual poetry,” she added.
Kumra’s upcoming presentation will place particular emphasis on the historical connections between India and Florence. Indian textiles played an important role in international trade for centuries, influencing European tastes in fabrics, color and decorative techniques. By revisiting those exchanges, the designer intends to explore how craftsmanship and cultural knowledge have traveled between regions and continue to influence fashion today.
The subject is especially appropriate for Florence, a city whose history is closely tied to textile production, artisanal expertise and international commerce.
For Kumra, the invitation also represents an opportunity to join a distinguished group of designers who have used Pitti Uomo as a platform for creative experimentation and international exposure.
“When you look at the creatives who have passed through the Guest Designer programme over the years, it’s a pretty special list to find yourself on, and certainly not something I take for granted,” Kumra said in a statement.
Pitti Uomo’s guest designer program has welcomed an international roster of established and emerging talents, including Simone Rocha, Kei Ninomiya, Soshi Otsuki, Post Archive Faction, JiyongKim and MM6 Maison Margiela.
Over the years, Florence has also hosted significant presentations by designers including Giorgio Armani, Vivienne Westwood, Jean Paul Gaultier and Raf Simons, reinforcing the event’s role as a meeting point for creative talent and the international menswear business.
Kartik Research’s selection continues that tradition while bringing greater visibility to India’s contemporary design community and the artisanal practices that remain central to its fashion industry.
For a brand founded only five years ago, the invitation provides a prominent international stage on which to develop its creative identity. It also offers Kumra an opportunity to present Indian textile heritage within a historical context that extends beyond national borders.
The Kartik Research presentation will take place on January 13, 2027, during Pitti Uomo 111 in Florence.