In a stylish stride forward for the D2C ecosystem India, homegrown lifestyle footwear brand CHK has launched its debut sneaker collection tailored for India’s dynamic Gen Z and millennial consumers. Designed to cater to evolving D2C consumer behavior India, CHK’s sneaker drop features 35 innovative styles across four themed collections, all now available exclusively via the brand’s direct-to-consumer website.
As a notable entrant among the latest D2C startups, CHK is positioning itself at the intersection of fashion, identity, and comfort. Its four new collections — Brat, Legend, Retro, and City Hopper — aim to offer sneakers that go beyond mere footwear and become personal style statements. From bold and rebellious to vintage and versatile, each line is designed with today’s youth in mind, making CHK a promising new name in the D2C fashion and lifestyle category.
“We’re offering young Indians a new language of self-expression through our sneakers,” said Deepan Babu, Co-founder of CHK. “With a perfect blend of modern trends and enduring style, we aim to become one of the fastest-growing D2C brands in India’s competitive sneaker market.”
Crafted entirely in India—from design studios in Bangalore to CHK’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu—the brand is proudly 100% ‘Made in India.’ This approach enables rapid D2C product launches, consistent quality control, and a lean D2C supply chain innovation model.
CHK’s debut also brings thoughtful design and tech-enabled functionality into its shoes. Features such as size-adjusting insoles for a custom fit, proprietary dirt-repelling coatings, and lightweight materials are all part of its mission to deliver style and substance. These innovations showcase how D2C brands India are reimagining what consumers expect from everyday products.
The company’s founders—Sankar Bora (ex-Myntra, DealShare), Deepan Babu (ex-McKinsey), Bharat Mahajan (ex-Wildcraft, Puma, Adidas), and Deepak Patil (ex-Myntra, Cure.fit)—bring a wealth of experience from India’s top retail and design institutions. With Bharat and Deepak also being FDDI alumni, CHK brings together deep design thinking with operational excellence—hallmarks of emerging premium D2C brands India.
Backed by a Series A funding round India of $2.5 million led by Accel and BlueStone Jewellery and Lifestyle, CHK enters the scene as a well-funded VC-backed D2C brand with a clear identity and strategic roadmap. Its focus on direct-to-consumer digital distribution, along with influencer-driven storytelling, marks a savvy D2C go-to-market strategy aimed at a digital-native audience.
CHK’s arrival reflects what’s happening in India’s D2C space today: brands with a sharp focus, strong founders, and agile models are entering with depth and speed. As the brand eyes potential D2C expansion plans, it’s not just launching shoes—it’s laying the foundation for a larger lifestyle play in India’s booming D2C business India landscape.
With innovation at its core and identity at its heart, CHK is poised to make its mark among the top funded D2C brands shaping the future of footwear and beyond.