For the longest time, Kerala’s fashion scene pretty much celebrated handloom heritage and timeless kasavu traditions. While that allure is still very much alive, there is something new brewing. A sartorial shift is underway as streetwear begins to take centre stage, driven by a new generation of creators and wearers pushing the boundaries of conventional clothing. They are making room for fashion that is bolder, more personal, and deeply reflective of today’s youth culture. At the heart of this shift is Maniverse, a lifestyle label from Calicut that blends streetwear and minimalism with semi-casual versatility.
Where Maniverse All Began
Maniverse was founded in 2019 by Muhammed Sarthaj, who was raised in Calicut, along with his partners Irfan Ishaque and Nishad Abdul Samad. What began as a bespoke tailoring store has since grown into a label redefining streetwear in Kerala.
Sarthaj, a BCom graduate, began his career at the Calicut-based Flipstore, where he started in inventory management and later transitioned into sales and business development. Like many young graduates, he chose to pursue a path far removed from what he studied. He dove into fashion and entrepreneurship instead. Recognising a gap in Calicut’s bespoke tailoring space, he set out to build a brand exclusively focused on custom clothing.
One of his earliest styling experiences came through Street Academics, one of Kerala’s pioneering hip-hop bands, where he worked on looks for music videos and live performances. A close friend of Sarthaj, Amjad, who is also a member of the group, helped open the door to that collaboration. These early projects gave Maniverse a direct connection to Kerala’s growing hip-hop scene, anchoring the brand in a space that celebrated individuality, bold expression, and street-rooted identity. Today, Maniverse operates as a tight-knit 10-member community, backed by several investors who believe in the brand’s vision and growth.
As the appetite for clean silhouettes and casual functionality grew, so did Maniverse. Over time, they infused their minimalist aesthetic into streetwear and lifestyle pieces, a direction that eventually evolved into what is now known as Maniverse Lifestyle.
On What Maniverse Stands For
Maniverse doesn’t fall into the trap of cliché menswear labels. And that brings us to the name itself. Yes, there are several well-established brands across Kerala and India, but few truly celebrate ‘the man within’ the way this one does. So, it’s no surprise that what sets it apart is its very name, Maniverse, a space where the modern man is not just seen, but styled. But wait, Maniverse isn’t just about celebrating the man within. It goes a step further with its solid yet distinctive tagline, “ONE OF ONE”. The tagline reflects their commitment to providing reliable service and thoughtfully crafted pieces, personalised for every individual. And according to Sarthaj, that’s what truly sets Maniverse apart, in a world where the dozen launch menswear brands, few carry the same depth, clarity, and purpose.
The Maniverse Collection
Maniverse isn’t limited to just being a label rooted in minimalism, streetwear, or lifestyle; it stretches beyond the surface. The label currently houses three collections, each staying true to its own identity while reflecting the larger ethos of the brand. And those come to life through three distinct collections: Binary 0101, ‘Understated’ by Maniverse Lifestyle and Maniverse ‘Staples’. Each one carries its mood and intention, but all remain rooted in the brand’s core values of subtlety, function, and individuality.
Firstly, the Binary 0101 collection – Wear Binary. Be Singular. This line draws directly from the brand’s tagline, “One of One,” translating individuality into the language of code. Inspired by the binary system, the very foundation of digital existence, this collection explores duality through a minimalist palette, where black dominates but always meets a secondary tone in balanced contrast. Utilitarian design choices like hidden pockets and sleek zippers add a sense of tech-forward practicality.
Then there’s the ‘Understated’ by Maniverse Lifestyle collection, a masterclass showcase of modern minimalism. With this line, Maniverse shifts the focus to clean lines, monochromatic palettes, and timeless silhouettes that whisper rather than shout. It’s about elegance without excess; pieces that transcend moments and moods, built to carry the wearer from day to night quietly. Subdued tones like black, white, and muted neutrals let the fabric and form do the talking, proving that simplicity, when done right, is never boring.
And finally, ‘Staples’ by Maniverse – Live Easy. Dress Essential – brings it all back to the basics, but with the brand’s signature precision. These are the everyday pieces that form the backbone of a wardrobe: oversized and regular-fit silhouettes with no prints, no embroidery, no noise. The palette leans into earthy neutrals and foundational shades, designed for layering, re-wearing, and reimagining. Each garment is shaped for ease, movement, and comfort, while subtle stitch work and premium fabric choices carry the quiet confidence that Maniverse is known for.
These collections not only dress a man; they also reflect him. Each one celebrates a different facet of the inner world that Maniverse was built to honour. Additionally, they frequently release interesting drops.
At the end of the day, this label isn’t chasing fleeting attention. It’s building a space, a Maniverse, where style becomes something personal, purposeful, and enduring. And when they call themselves a lifestyle label, they mean it. Beyond clothing, Maniverse also offers essentials like caps, belts, and innerwear, making it a well-rounded style destination for the modern man.
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Sarthaj as Mr. Maniverse and His Personal Stylist Pursuit
Sarthaj often refers to himself as Mr. Maniverse, a title that extends into his personal creative pursuit, which he calls ‘Reinvent by Mr. Maniverse.’ With Reinvent by Mr. Maniverse, Sarthaj takes on personal styling, often working with people from film, music, sports, and cultural spaces, particularly across Kerala. Sarthaj has styled and collaborated with personalities like Sanju Samson, Tovino Thomas, Neeraj Madhav, Jomon T. John, Sidharth Menon(singer), Chef Pillai, and more, marking his quiet presence across Kerala’s cultural spotlight.
Apart from this, Sarthaj shares a close creative camaraderie with photographer, director, actor, stylist, brand influencer, and storyteller Shani Shaki. Shani has been a consistent presence in both past and recent collaborations with the brand. Over the years, through this collaboration, Sarthaj has also had the opportunity to style icons like Mammootty and Dulquer Salmaan; moments he credits as deeply memorable in his journey. Their growing popularity within Mollywood adds to the trust Maniverse has earned as a reliable and relevant label.
Global Presence
Maniverse has always placed strong emphasis on its promotions, something clearly reflected through its official Instagram presence. Until recently, most of their orders were processed directly through the platform. But with growing demand, the label has now launched a full-fledged nationwide e-commerce system, with plans to take it global shortly. However, as Sarthaj notes, most of their sales still happen offline, with in-store purchases currently outpacing online orders.
While their global expansion is still in progress on the retail front, Maniverse’s supply and creative networks already extend far beyond India. A significant portion of their products are sourced from countries like China, Korea, and Thailand, regions with which they’ve also frequently collaborated with, in terms of designers. Interestingly, many of the models featured in their lookbooks and online content are from these same countries, giving the brand a distinctively international aesthetic even before its global launch.
Sarthaj and his team believe that ‘less is more’, and that shows in every piece they create. Maniverse is built on clean silhouettes, premium fabrics, and small but functional details. Their style blends modern streetwear with minimal design, keeping things sharp without being loud. As Sarthaj says, they don’t try to grab attention; they let the clothes speak for themselves. When asked about his vision for Maniverse in the near future, Sarthaj said, “We want to make Maniverse a complete lifestyle and bespoke brand and not just a store.”
You can find Maniverse’s store in Calicut, a city that’s slowly been building its own fashion identity. If you haven’t checked them out yet, they might just be your next go-to for everything lifestyle and bespoke. And if you’re sitting somewhere across the country thinking of giving your wardrobe a twist, Maniverse might just be the way to do it. Like they say at Maniverse, “From Calicut to the World.”
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