By Anna Ludmirsky,
Amanjoat Gill, is a queer, non-binary South-Asian individual, who also goes by the name Catta Lyst. They are a well-versed person with many talents in various arts. Specifically, they design unisex streetwear for their brand Aadhe, a sustainable, socially aware brand that brings the spotlight to BIPOC people through inclusivity and also brings diversity with their brand. According to their “About Us” and “Origin Story” page on Aadhe’s website, the main reason for starting the brand was to delve into the fashion world and explore what they can accomplish by incorporating statement prints and an array of colours into what they felt was lacking in the streetwear designs at the time. Aadhe is an extremely impressive brand, from Catta Lyst themself designing all of the prints and garments whilst adding elements from their Punjabi background, simultaneously providing slow fashion during a time where quantity is oftentimes surpassed by quality. In addition to this they give back to the communities they are a part of as much as possible. For instance, Catta Lyst organises events held for queer and BIPOC individuals to support mental health, and integrating what they enjoy (fashion and performance), into free events held for Torontonians. The message spread by the brand is always positive, uplifting and extremely eye-catching by adding words labeled on the front of their T-Shirts such as “queer” in big bold letters, and using bits of Catta Lyst’s passions for poetry in the designs by adding the word “poet”. All of the garments are extremely fashionable and simple to style regardless of the boldness of the colours and prints. See for yourself:
Works Cited
@Aadhetoronto, 10 Dec. 2020, https://www.instagram.com/p/CIn8ED3gOx_/. Accessed 8 Nov. 2021.
@Aadhetoronto, 10 Dec. 2020, https://www.instagram.com/p/CInx8leATCR/. Accessed 8 Nov. 2021.
@Aadhetoronto, 10 Nov. 2020, https://www.instagram.com/p/CHaSSUqgrWA/. Accessed 8 Nov. 2021.
@Aadhetoronto, 20 Apr. 2021, https://www.instagram.com/p/CN5Bp3FAaap/. Accessed 8 Nov. 2021.
@kiralove5, 14 Sept. 2019, https://www.instagram.com/p/B2YbTlEFNAL/. Accessed 8 Nov. 2021.
Amanjoat Gill. https://amanjoatgill.myportfolio.com/welcome. Accessed 8 Nov. 2021.
Gill , Aman. “Origin Story.” Aadhe Clothing, https://aadheclothing.com/pages/origin-story. Accessed 8 Nov. 2021.
“GRAFFITI MESH TOP AND SARI SHORTS.” Amanjoatgill, https://amanjoatgill.myportfolio.com/graffiti-mesh-top-and-sari-shorts. Accessed 8 Nov. 2021.
Imitating Us in All the Hollywood Pictures. @Shan.ivyy, 3 Mar. 2020, https://www.instagram.com/p/B9Ru7-QFY8r/. Accessed 8 Nov. 2021.
“PUNJABI FLAVOUR REVERSIBLE DRESS AND SHIRT.” AMANJOAT GILL, https://amanjoatgill.myportfolio.com/punjabi-flavour-set. Accessed 8 Nov. 2021.
“Queer Sweatshirt.” Aadhe Clothing, https://aadheclothing.com/collections/streetwear-graphic-sweatshirts/products/queer-streetwear-sweatshirt. Accessed 8 Nov. 2021.
“WELCOME to AADHE!” Aadhe Clothing, https://aadheclothing.com/pages/about-us. Accessed 8 Nov. 2021.