Drop 01 — Foundation: How We Built Our First Collection

Studio Notes — June 2026

Drop 01 didn’t start with a mood board. It started with a single question: what does a T-shirt actually need to be?

We spent three months before the first sample arrived just talking about fabric. GSM weights, knit structures, shrinkage rates, how cotton responds to a cold wash versus a warm one. If that sounds obsessive, good—that obsession is the whole point of Zappos.

The Weight Decision

Most brands selling “premium” basics in India are working with 160–180 GSM cotton. It feels light, it photographs well, and it costs less to produce. We chose 240 GSM as our floor. The difference in hand-feel is immediate — there’s a substance to it, a drape that doesn’t cling or pull.

Heavier fabric also means better longevity. A 240 GSM tee washed a hundred times still holds its shape. A 160 GSM one starts to thin and distort around wash 30. We’re building for the long relationship, not the first impression.

The Fit Formula

Foundation ships in two fits: oversized and standard. Oversized doesn’t mean shapeless—the shoulder sits 3 cm off the natural shoulder point, the chest is wide but not boxy, and the hem hits at the right hip for a clean tuck-or-no-tuck choice. The standard is relaxed regular: not slim, not boxy, just right.

Both fits went through seven rounds of sampling. Length, shoulder width, sleeve length, rib weight—each iteration was tested on real bodies, not dress forms.

The Colours

Drop 01 launches in five colorways: Chalk, Carbon, Ash, Sand, and Slate. No brights, no prints. Every color was chosen because it works harder when it tries less—it pairs with everything, photographs in any light, and doesn’t date.

What’s Next

Drop 02 is already in development. We’re looking at a heavier terry fabric for cooler months — same philosophy, different weight. Studio notes will follow here as we get closer. For now, Drop 01 is live. Go wear it.