Kartik Kumra, a Delhi native, built a global fashion brand before he even passed his finals at the University of Pennsylvania in West Philadelphia, writes Jacob Gallagher for The Wall Street Journal.

Kumra’s clothing brand, Karu Research, has been worn by Kendrick Lamar and Joe Jonas, it is carried at 11 stores worldwide, and it is on track to hit $900,000 in revenue this year, up from $300,000 last year.

Kumra achieved all of this even before he graduated this Monday.

“I’ve been ready to be done since this took off,” he said.

And he now has big plans for the future. In March, he expects to release what he considers to be his first “real collection,” with around 2,300 total pieces. He also plans to double his wholesale business.

Kumra started his fashion brand as a hobby out of boredom during the pandemic. He would drive around the Indian countryside and connect to artists whose designs he liked.

Today, his brand includes standouts like a $470 hand-knit rugby shirt that is stitched together from earth-toned patches and a $330 hand-knit cardigan with peace signs that run along the hemline.

Read more about Kartik Kumra in The Wall Street Journal.

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