Blog Archive - Advertising, Branding, Communication & Design

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Xplained by Kal Kalim Coach, Designer, Fashion Photographer, Communication Designer, & Creative Director Australia, Bali, France, India

Small labels thrive on agility. Big brands thrive on clarity.

Small labels thrive on speed and instinct. Big brands thrive on clarity and consistency. Agility helps young labels experiment, move fast, and feel human, but at scale the same behaviour becomes noise. Established brands are built on clear vision, steady values, and a disciplined way of showing up across seasons, markets, and teams. When big brands try to perform like scrappy start-ups, they dilute trust and confuse direction. Agility may get you noticed, but clarity is what makes a brand last and become a legacy.

Why do inspiring brands need a Fashion Photographer who understands branding?

Most fashion brands hire photographers. But to build brand identity, you need one who understands storytelling, strategy and creative direction.

STOP ASSUMING THAT LOCAL IS SUSTAINABLE

In the rush to support local fashion, are we mistaking proximity for responsibility? In this thought-provoking piece, Kal Kalim Xplains the dangerous assumption that “local equals sustainable” in the Indian fashion landscape. From artisan tokenism to aesthetic greenwashing, this essay is a wake-up call to rethink what sustainability truly means — beyond nostalgia, nationalism or hashtags.

DEAR CREATOR, PLEASE STEAM

Wrinkled sleeves. Crumpled hems. A missed opportunity to honour the art of fashion. Kal Kalim pens a timely letter to creators, reminding us that the smallest acts, like steaming a garment, carry the biggest impact.

SUSTAINABILITY STEPS. MAKING SUSTAINABILITY ACHIEVABLE FOR EVERY BRAND

Sustainability Steps Initiative: Transforming Ethical Brands through Purposeful & Practical Sustainability Solutions Sustainability often feels overwhelming, like an all-or-nothing goal only big brands or experts …

The Future of Streetwear: The Evolution of the Movement

The Future of Streetwear: The Evolution of the Movement Streetwear is not dead—it is evolving. This evolution is not just a trend shift. It is …

Let us design for the living now. Not the Dead Muse.

An open call to fashion’s future from a designer who is done playing dress-up. It is like the fashion world is stuck in this loop …

Breathing Brands: Why Storytelling Should be Alive, Not Scripted

Breathing Brands: The evolution of Storytelling by Kal Kalim There is a word that gets thrown around a lot in creative and branding circles: Storytelling. …

Building a Streetwear Brand & Launching a Shopify Store Are Two Different Things

If you’re building a streetwear brand in India today, your job is not to echo someone else’s story. Your job is to reflect and respond to the real issues facing our youth—mental health, gender identity, climate change, cultural expression, inequality, rebellion, freedom.

Redefining Collaboration in the Fashion Industry: The COLLABORATIONS Initiative

Redefining Collaboration in the Fashion Industry: The COLLABORATIONS InitiativeBy Kal Kalim, Creative Director at DIScover India Studios This movement is not just for us, but …

5 Most Powerful Pillars of Brand Building

It’s a journey that began with a simple concept—awareness. Businesses, whether big or small, sought ways to make people aware of their products, services and …

Beyond The 21-Day Habit Formation Myth

Introduction Discover the truth behind the widely believed 21-day habit formation myth. Unravelling the complexities of habit building and why a one-size-fits-all approach might not …

WHERE DO YOU LIVE? Navigating the clouded landscape of our personal and professional lives

My answer to this question has kept changing over the last few years. Currently, “I live on whatsapp.” That is where you will find me. …

EMBRACING TRUE DIVERSITY : Beyond appearances to the essence of thought

The concept of diversity has emerged as a cornerstone of progress and unity in a rapidly evolving global landscape. Traditionally, diversity is often associated with …

Rediscovering Humanity in Business

Though the world of business and marketing is ever-evolving, there’s a term that has gained ubiquitous usage. It is a phrase that rolls off the …

CONSISTENCY IN BRANDING: Crafting a lasting impression

Trends will keep evolving at the blink of an eye while one factor remains constant: the power of consistency in branding. Often hailed as the …

OUR PHILOSOPHY: Navigating brand success with a wholistic approach

Navigating brand success We often encounter brands and businesses who approach us with immediate needs for a specific season or project. And we totally understand …

EMBRACING A BREATH OF FRESH AIR: The Smoke-Free Initiative with Jass Fresh and Jass Cool

‘The purpose behind the Smoke-Free Initiative’ The Smoke-Free Campaign is more than just a plea to quit smoking. It is a rallying cry for a …

GRATEFUL: A letter to the Clothes Don’t Maketh The Man Boys 2022 Edition

To the Remarkable CDMTM Boys, A heartfelt thank you resounds as we reflect upon the impactful journey of the “Spraying Happiness” campaign. Your unwavering participation, …

DISCLAIMER: Respectful engagement and clear guidelines throughout the campaign

It’s imperative to note that throughout the “Spraying Happiness” campaign, utmost care was taken to ensure that the initiative upheld the values of respect, consideration …

SPRAYING HAPPINESS: Connecting hearts and initiating change through genuine conversations

The “Spraying Happiness” campaign stands as a refreshing testament to the power of human interaction, kindness and genuine conversations. This collaborative effort between Clothes Don’t …

JASS NUMBER ONE: Redefining elegance with the “Jass Number One” campaign

Innovation often stems from unexpected sources in the world of advertising and communication. Our journey with Jass Perfumes, in collaboration with SFP Sons, is a …

PIONEERING CHANGE: The heart behind the Australian Supermodel of the Year Initiative

The Australian Supermodel of the Year initiative is a heartfelt response to a call for change In a world where fashion and modelling often feel …

EMPOWERMENT BEYOND THE RUNWAY: Transformative journeys and unbreakable sisterhood of Asoty

Where dreams collide with determination, the Australian Supermodel of the Year Academy stands as a symbol of empowerment inspiring the lives of aspiring models and …

SUSTAINABLE FASHION EDUCATION: Unveiling the beauty of heritage and sustainability

As an advocate for sustainable fashion for the last few years, I have worked on multiple initiatives to promote ethical practices and conscious consumerism within …

SUSTAINABLE FASHION: Unraveling myths and embracing ethical practices through Sustainability Steps

The fashion industry has been witnessing a significant shift towards sustainability and ethical practices. As the founder of various sustainability initiatives and an advocate for …

DISCOVER: Responsible advertising and purposeful branding

Inspiring a Sustainable Future Advertising has always had a profound impact on consumer behaviour and society as a whole. Having been part of the design, …

XPLAINED: A deep dive into our adventures, projects & initiatives

With XPLAINED, we are thrilled to showcase a rainbow of exciting projects from our flagship initiative, the Australian Super Model of the Year (ASOTY), to …

WOW: With Or Without a crown you are always a queen

The most important crown is the one you always carry through your acts of Kindness …

SMELLS LIKE YOU: A campaign to remind you of all the blessings

The “Smells Like You” campaign for the upcoming fragrance range is all about bringing people closer together through the power of scent. It’s a powerful …

BTBTS: Diving deeper than just going Behind the Scenes

The fashion industry and the modelling world have long been associated with glamour, beauty and perfection. However, behind the scenes, the reality is often far …