BUILDING IDENTITY THROUGH CLOTHING: THE WORLD OF ONGNA STUDIOS.

Interview with Angana Ananya founder and creative behind the project.

By: Michelle Salazar

In a fashion landscape increasingly driven by speed and repetition, ONGNA Studios emerges from a more personal place, one rooted in memory, identity, and cultural dialogue. Founded by Toronto-based designer Angana, the independent label exists between contemporary streetwear and storytelling, creating unique garments that feel intimate and authentic.

The brand balances craftsmanship with contemporary design, often incorporating hand-finished elements, textured fabrics, and a slow-fashion mentality that emphasizes intentionality over mass consumption. ONGNA Studios presents a visual world that feels intimate and rebellious, merging heritage with modern streetwear through a thoughtful and emotionally charged lens.

(Photo by: @Jaromyjj for Nova Magazine)

What led you to start a clothing brand?

I couldn’t find clothing that reflected both my identity and how I actually wanted to dress, and there was barely any representation of Assamese culture on a global stage. ONGNA became a way to express personal experiences while also bringing that cultural perspective into modern design.

What is the universe of ONGNA Studios beyond clothing?

It’s a world of storytelling, culture, and identity exploration, not just garments, more like a visual language for who you are becoming.

How do you build the narrative behind each collection? What inspired this one?

I start from emotion, memory, or cultural tension and build silhouettes around that, this collection came from duality, softness vs structure, tradition vs now.

What has it been like to create an independent brand nowadays?

It’s chaotic, expensive, and very real, but also freeing, you learn everything fast, and nothing is filtered.

What has been the most meaningful moment for you since starting?

Seeing people wear my pieces in real life for the first time, that shift from idea to reality hits differently.

What has surprised you the most?

It’s been surprising to see how much support comes from strangers, sometimes more than friends or family. When you’re building something new, only a few people really believe in you at first, and the rest can feel a bit skeptical until they see you make it.

(Photo by: @jaromyjj for Nova Magazine)

If you could redefine one thing about fashion, what would it be?

I’d remove the obsession with constant consumption. Fashion should slow down and feel intentional again, for example, investing in good quality pieces you truly love and actually living in them, wearing them repeatedly over time, and letting them age with you.

What is your opinion about the fashion industry in Toronto?

It’s small but growing fast with a lot of raw talent. There’s a need for a broader, more connected fashion ecosystem here. Cities like NYC, Paris, and even in India, we have stronger industry infrastructure, from major publications to indie magazines, and consistent global exposure, which naturally builds deeper creative and professional networks. In Toronto, those pathways exist but are more limited, so you really have to work extra hard to create visibility and build momentum to get your work out there.

What are you currently trying to understand or explore?

How to scale without losing the soul of what I’m building, that balance between growth and integrity.

What impact would you like to have?

I want people to feel seen in what they wear, and to show that small, independent voices can build something global. Being raised by a single parent and coming from a difficult financial background, without any financial support growing up, I want people to see that if I can stay determined and build something from nothing, they can too. I hope it inspires others to create their own pathways and keep that cycle of inspiration going for the next generation of creatives.

An adivice you would give to emerging creatives?

Believe in yourself and trust your work, I’m doing the same. Sometimes results can come instantly and give you that validation to keep going, but more realistically, it takes years to really build strong roots. Learn when to say no and protect your time, it’s just as important as saying yes. It’s also really important to take care of your physical and mental health as a creative, so stepping back or declining opportunities is completely okay, it’s just realignment. What’s meant for you will come to you no matter what.

As ONGNA Studios continues to evolve, the brand stands as more than just a fashion label, it becomes a reflection of identity, resilience, and cultural preservation within a modern creative environment. Through thoughtful storytelling and emotionally driven design, Angana is building a space where heritage and contemporary expression can exist simultaneously without compromise.

In many ways, ONGNA Studios represents a new generation of independent fashion, one that values emotional honesty as much as aesthetics, and cultural identity as much as innovation.

(Photo by: @jaromyjj for Nova Magazine)

Special thanks to Angana for taking the time to share her story and creative vision with Nova. We would also like to thank all of the creatives who participated in the Nova X ONGNA Studios editorial shoot and helped bring this collaboration to life through their talent, energy, and artistry.

Production and Creative Direction: Michelle Salazar

Photographer: Jaromy Javier

Stylist: Adam Archiv

Videographer: Sofia Moreno

BTS Content: Isabella Navarro

Movement Director: Petra Abvna

Models: Dazo, Doty and Guillermo

Assistance: Jose Mares