3 Fits With Santanu Hazarika

Amid curated aesthetics and algorithm approved drip, Santanu Hazarika stands out like a graffiti tag on a museum wall—rebellious and entirely unbothered by convention.

The self-taught artist from Guwahati, Assam, has built a career—and a cult following—on his ability to blur every line that’s supposed to separate fine art from streetwear, anime from mythology, and fashion from feeling. One week he’s designing a sneaker drop that sells out in less than two hours, the next he’s collaborating with NBA on a cultural takeover in Mumbai. Through it all, he dresses like a character from the worlds he creates: part manga antihero, part metalhead, part underground designer.

His style is scrappy, sentimental and deliberately unfinished. Think torn denim, beat-up boots, band tees from another lifetime. Every outfit tells a story— a stitched-together archive of childhood rebellion, thrift store finds, band merch, and memories of his mum styling him like her “trophy child.”

Your wardrobe reflects your creative process. What are you vibing with right now?

Lately, my wardrobe’s gone full workshop-core—denim, distressed overalls, paint-streaked shirts, heavy-duty Carhartt pieces that look like they’ve survived a small fire. I’ve been deep in on-ground projects, so it’s all function-forward: workwear, utility gear, shoot-day uniforms. But I’m still loyal to my staples—avant-garde fits, offbeat silhouettes, and always, always, band merch.

When did you first become interested in clothing and how has your style evolved?

It started with music videos—metal, rock, hip-hop. I was obsessed with the whole visual aesthetic. My mum, too, used to dress me up like some kind of trophy child. I think that stuck. Over time, my style’s evolved, but the core’s stayed the same—alternative, rebellious, a mix of emo, punk, goth and legit streetwear. Not hype stuff—more like thrifted band tees, marker-scribbled Converse, torn jeans we wore like medals of war. Back then it was cheap. Now, ironically, it’s expensive to look this DIY.

From Guwahati to Mumbai—who and what have shaped your style along the way?

My style has always come from the fringes—from the underground scenes, subculture and everything considered “niche” in a world obsessed with mass trends. I’ve always gravitated towards rebellion. It started with counterculture—metal, rap, hip-hop, sneaker culture.

And then, of course, there’s art. Back in Guwahati, my understanding of style and aesthetics was shaped by sketchbooks, murals, street art—visuals that had rawness and story. But then, as I started travelling and experiencing new things, meeting people, a whole new world opened up. So yeah, Mumbai definitely amplified it. But my roots have always been messy, expressive and anti-algorithm.

You’ve spoken about redefining conventional beauty as a way to cope and express yourself. How does that influence the way you dress or engage with fashion today?

I used to have a very negative body image while I was growing up. I was overweight and obese, so I was bullied in a lot of ways. So, I’ve always had to fight back by changing the idea of what beauty should be like. Even in my art, I try to redefine the idea of beauty—I have a reinterpretation of the Mona Lisa where her dentures have been pulled out and have been splattered on her face. The Mona Lisa is considered the pinnacle of beauty in the art world during the renaissance era and I wanted to play with that perspective. There are people who find beauty in unconventional things, in things that are not typically beautiful or even a little disturbing. So maybe the idea has a lot to do with coping with my own insecurities.

Do you have any style rules?

You will never see me wearing loafers, shoes without socks, chinos and tight pants that end at the top of your ankle. Also, no tight clothing.

Do you remember the first piece of jewellery that made you feel like yourself?

I really liked having a chain around my belt, like a belt chain. That leather harness with a wallet chain swinging off it? That was it.

One thing from your closet you’ll never throw out?

My band tees. Every single one. Especially the old, obscure heavy metal ones. They’ve got stories in the stains. I still wear them, I never let them turn into rags. They’re basically my textile biography.

Is there anything you’re currently on the hunt for?

Some nice Takashi Murakami pieces—accessories, jewelleries, stuff like that. I just scored a Lewis Hamilton x Murakami hoodie, which I’m psyched about.

Photography: Tanya Agarwal

Styling: Komal Shetty

Hair and make-up: Shadab

Bookings Editor: Varun Shah

To read more such stories from Esquire India's July 2025 issue, pick up a copy of the magazine from your nearest newspaper stand or bookstore. Or click here to subscribe to the magazine.