Delhi, October 2025: Gully Labs, India’s leading storytelling-driven sneaker label, has unveiled a first in Indian streetwear – the country’s first musician-led sneaker collaboration –with Raga, the East Delhi-born rapper whose music embodies grit, resilience, and unapologetic authenticity. Raga x Gully Labs sneaker is not just another footwear drop but a manifesto that blends craft, culture, and consciousness. Designed to mirror Raga’s duality, grounded yet aspirational, street-smart yet fashion-forward, the sneaker captures the essence of an artist who built his identity from the streets of East Delhi and carried it onto national stages.
Every design element in the Raga x Gully Labs sneaker tells a story. The tongue features an eye, symbolising “arhat” or enlightenment, representing awareness and self-realisation, values at the heart of hip-hop’s philosophy. The back tab bears “92,” a direct nod to Raga’s East Delhi roots, grounding the sneaker in the community that shaped his voice. Its rugged construction draws inspiration from the lyric “muh se nikle Aandhi”, a metaphor for unstoppable energy and raw creative force, giving the design a visceral edge. With material-first design ethos, the sneaker is crafted primarily from jute, chosen for its earthy texture and cultural resonance. The use of this humble yet resilient material connects to Raga’s lineage, symbolising strength, survival, and authenticity, while the elevated construction reflects ambition and artistry. Every stitch, texture, and contour has been purposefully designed to bridge the rawness of the streets with refined craftsmanship.
“The philosophy of hip-hop has always been rooted in knowledge and self-awareness,” says Raga.“This design is about staying true to where I come from while creating something that speaks to where I’m headed.” Facilitating this collaboration was Of The Wilderness (OTW), Raga’s management collective, which has consistently worked to build narrative-rich partnerships that extend an artist’s identity beyond the stage. “At OTW, our focus is on building forward-thinking collaborations that go beyond the music and tell the artist’s story,” says Aranyaka, founder of OTW. “With this partnership between Raga and Gully Labs, we wanted to create something culturally resonant and true to Raga’s journey.”
Animesh Mishra, Co-founder of Gully Labs, elaborates, “Every collaboration at Gully Labs starts with a material, a mindset, and a story worth wearing. With Raga, it wasn’t about creating another sneaker; it was about redefining what ‘raw’ can look like when shaped through craft and culture. His authenticity gave the design its pulse; our innovation gave it permanence.”
Founded on the belief that every pair should tell a story, Gully Labs has redefined the Indian sneaker scene by merging indigenous materials with bold design narratives. The brand’s mission is to represent local subcultures through craftsmanship and storytelling, creating wearable art that reflects the spirit of India’s youth. Recently, Gully Labs has been in the spotlight for its rapid rise, from securing ₹8.7 crore in seed funding led by Zeropearl VC to launching its flagship experiential store in Delhi’s Panchsheel Park, which houses a karigar studio and a baithak area, encouraging collaboration between artisans and audiences. This collaboration with Raga marks another milestone in Gully Labs’ commitment to championing homegrown creativity through meaningful cultural collaborations.
The Raga x Gully Labs sneaker stands as a symbol of survival, adaptation, and evolution, much like the artist himself. It embodies the spirit of the streets, the rhythm of resistance, and the pride of authenticity. This drop transcends fashion; it’s a cultural artefact born from rhythm, rebellion, and rootedness. The sneaker will be available in limited quantities starting October 2025, both online and through select retail partners.
The collection, priced at INR 6,990 will be available on gullylabs.com from 24th October, 2025.
About Gully Labs: Website | Instagram
Gully Labs is a New Delhi-based sneaker design house founded in 2023 by Arjun Singh and Animesh Mishra. The brand redefines India’s design language through storytelling, craftsmanship, and community. By blending local narratives with globally refined design, Gully Labs creates limited-edition sneakers that turn heritage into art. Each new collection is released every 60 days, reflecting the brand’s commitment to innovation and cultural relevance.
Gully Labs’ sneakers are handcrafted in India using premium thick-grain leather and durable rubber soles. Notable designs include the Diwali-inspired ‘Saaj Orange’, featuring Rangoli-inspired patterns and Devanagari script branding, and the ‘Naadu’ sneaker, which channels Kerala’s essence through intricate motifs like Chundan Vallam and Pookalam. These culturally rich designs resonate with a design-aware community at the brand’s core. With a mission to embrace culture rather than chase trends, Gully Labs has garnered attention in India’s burgeoning sneaker scene. The brand’s approach celebrates India’s street culture, drawing inspiration from food, music, sports, movies, and community. As a seed-funded company, Gully Labs is poised to become a generational sneaker brand in India and beyond.
