Bombay Shirt Company and Rid Burman Launch Mumbai-Inspired Fashion Collection

The “What is the Colour of Mumbai?” capsule collection draws on four original photographs to shape its fabric choices, colour palette and relaxed, urban silhouettes.

Bombay Shirt Company (BSC), an Indian custom-made menswear brand, has collaborated with artist and fashion photographer Rid Burman to launch a capsule collection titled “What is the Colour of Mumbai?” The collection combines structured tailoring with relaxed silhouettes, drawing inspiration from Mumbai’s changing skies, coastal architecture and urban landscape.

Photographs Inspire Fabric and Design Choices

The collection developed from four original photographs by Burman, capturing pre-monsoon skies, dusk reflections on dark ocean water and the weathered facades of coastal buildings.

Rather than simply reproducing the photographs on fabric, the team used them as references for fabric sourcing, dye-wash testing and the development of silhouettes inspired by the city’s character.

The collaboration brings together BSC’s focus on clean lines, fabric expertise and tailored collars and cuffs with a more relaxed, textured aesthetic.

“The best collaborations force you to see something familiar through an entirely new lens,” says Akshay Narvekar, Founder of Bombay Shirt Company. “Rid has a very distinct eye for Mumbai, its light, architecture, colours, people, and contradictions. We wanted to see what would happen when his perspective intersected with the way we make clothes at BSC. His photos became our colour board, pushing us past our comfort zone and usual boundaries. There is more workwear than we’ve ever done, wider proportions, chore jackets, oversized T-shirts, and distressed finishes. The clothes still feel like us, but the attitude feels much looser, raw, and textured. Ultimately, it’s a way of looking at home through someone else’s eyes.”

Relaxed Silhouettes and Textured Finishes

The ready-to-wear capsule features a range of contemporary silhouettes, including:

• Outerwear and top-wear: Structured chore jackets, vintage-washed denim shackets and soft overshirts.
• Bottoms: Barrel-fit jeans and military-inspired barrel fatigue pants.
• Casualwear: Heavyweight, acid-washed pullover hoodies and oversized T-shirts.
• Accessories: Caps and tote bags.

The garments incorporate subtle embroidery, distressed finishes and Burman’s photographic work. The collection’s wider proportions and workwear influences reflect the collaboration’s emphasis on a more relaxed approach to urban dressing.

Rid Burman’s Interpretation of Mumbai

Burman’s photographs and experiences of the city informed the collection’s visual direction and colour development.

“Every time I walk along the city’s promenades or look out over the concrete landscape, the same question stays with me: What is the colour of Bombay?” shares the collection’s co-creator Rid Burman. “Having lived across cities the world over, I spent a long time feeling like an outsider, and exploring colour became my way of finding a sense of belonging here. Most days, the evening sky in Bombay is this moody, pre-monsoon grey, but when the dusk light breaks into brilliant, shimmering gold over dark waters, it’s pure magic!”

“Merging BSC’s clean architectural structure with my visual lens felt completely natural because we both respect each other’s craft. Shooting real people on the streets in a guerrilla style was our nod to the city’s everyday hustle and knack for making things work. Ultimately, all those emotions, grit, and contradictions were poured directly into these garments, and I hope people see a bit of themselves and their own dreams in this collection,” he adds.

Colour Palette Reflects Mumbai’s Changing Skyline

The collection’s palette draws on the city’s changing appearance from day to night. Darker shades include Moonless Night, Mystic Navy, Sky View and Eclipse, while softer colours include Silver Grey, Burnished Lilac, Cloud Dancer, Dusty Blue and Dusty Pink.

Sunlight and Sunburst provide warmer accents within the range, complementing the darker and muted tones.

Collection Availability

The “What is the Colour of Mumbai?” capsule collection is available through Bombay Shirt Company’s digital storefront and selected physical stores.

In Mumbai, the collection is available at Kala Ghoda, Kemps Corner, Pali Hill, Juhu and Andheri. Other locations include Khan Market, Vasant Kunj and South Extension in Delhi-NCR; Indiranagar in Bangalore; Shakespeare Sarani in Kolkata; Khader Nawaz Khan Road in Chennai; Sindhu Bhavan Marg in Ahmedabad; and Koregaon Park in Pune.