There’s a certain kind of calm confidence that Back Alley Bodega exudes, the kind that earns your attention rather than asking for it. Based out of New Delhi, this made-to-order label sits at the intersection of craft, function, and quiet individuality. It doesn’t shout, it doesn’t follow. It simply does the work.

Founded in 2021 by filmmaker-turned-creative director Ankit Duggal, Back Alley Bodega is a product of personal rebellion against trend cycles, fast fashion, and the increasingly loud nature of online style. “It began as a quiet rebellion,” Ankit says, “a response to fast fashion, noise, and the obsession with the new.” That quietness is woven into the brand’s entire design philosophy.

Minimal Doesn’t Mean Empty

Back Alley Bodega’s design language is restrained, but never generic. It’s a focused kind of minimalism, one that values why something exists just as much as what it looks like. “We don’t design to impress,” Ankit explains. “We design to endure.”

Everything is made in-house, using natural fabrics like linen, cotton, and Tencel blends. From their signature utility jackets to box-pleated shorts and flared trousers, every garment is intentionally cut, subtly detailed, and built with purpose. You won’t find loud logos or over-designed statements here. Instead, think: paneling that reveals itself over time, a perfectly placed sleeve loop, a pocket you didn’t know you needed until you wore it.

The ‘Field Notes’ Collection

The current standout in their lineup is the Field Notes collection - a series of relaxed everyday garments that feel at once nostalgic and modern. There are vintage references at play, but they’re never heavy-handed. A washed navy shirt might feel like something you inherited from your grandfather’s closet, but its updated silhouette and breathable linen blend bring it into the now.

Every piece is made-to-order, and that’s not just a buzzword here. It’s part of a slow, intentional process that respects both the garment and the person who will wear it. This is the kind of fashion that’s designed to live in.

Quiet Craft, Real Impact

One of the most quietly radical things Back Alley Bodega does? Lifelong repair and alteration support for every garment. It’s a simple promise, but in an age of mass production and planned obsolescence, it hits differently. It also underscores the brand’s deeper commitment to sustainability, not as a trend, but as a core principle.

“We operate quietly, outside the usual fashion echo chambers,” Ankit says. “Our garments aren't made to chase virality. They're made for people who care about how things are made and why.”

That audience, by the way, is mostly creatives, founders, and independent thinkers in the 25-40 age group. People who care about intention. People who want their clothes to reflect something deeper than just taste.

Aesthetic, Without the Excess

Visually, the brand leans into neutral tones so you will see a lot of washed olives, slate blacks, and soft off-whites captured in either studio light or warm, natural settings. There’s a sense of quiet precision in the way they present things, almost like they’re saying: look closer, there’s more here than you think.

This is where Back Alley Bodega hits its stride - editorial in presentation, utilitarian in construction, and deeply personal in philosophy.

Designed With Purpose. Crafted to Endure.

That’s the line the brand lives by, and it shows. In a world flooded with limited drops, hype cycles, and the next-new-thing, Back Alley Bodega is designing for the long haul. Their approach may be slow and understated, but its impact is anything but.

As our Featured Brand of the Month, we’re proud to spotlight a label that reflects what UnderRated is all about - craft over clout, depth over noise, and style that’s meant to last.

Explore Back Alley Bodega:
Website:  www.backalleybodega.com
Instagram: @backalleybodega
#backalleybodega #elevateddailywear #quietrebellion #madeinindia

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