Founder Zayn Kamran’s Cyanide Studio exists as an extension of himself. A reflection of his style and easy going personality, the label stands for comfort clothing that doesn’t compromise on its cool quotient. Minimal in its approach, the unique name popped in Zayn’s head while looking at a collage of green tinted visual references from his own archives for a completely different project. There has been no looking back ever since. Zayn tells us more about his transition from photography to fashion, his inspiration, creative process and more.
FROM PHOTOGRAPHY TO FASHION
Photography alone wasn’t doing it for me. My head was brimming with ideas that were longing to take form. I needed a creative outlet, and shooting fashion every day, looking at the monotony of clothes, I wanted to create a rattle in the industry.
THE INSPIRATION
I want to make fashion less complicated. That was merely the idea behind the first collection. Everyday pieces with relaxed silhouettes, placing high priority on comfort and practicality. Details like distressed fabric, unfinished seams, boxy oversized fits and neutral tones with some experimentation with bold colours, have largely come from the streets of Japan, the breeding ground of streetwear.
THE PROCESS
Making this transition without any prior training, and never getting exposed to the ‘rules’ of fashion, has given me space for more creative freedom in the way I synthesise ideas. My creative process is largely run by intuition, with no prior assumptions. Then follows a collection of materials that help me visualise the idea and give it some structure.
THE FASHION OF NOW
Comfortable, easy to wear clothes, that look as though you’ve put in just the right amount of effort.
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Text Unnati Saini
Date 24-02-2022