‘Sustainability’—a term stirring up conversations in every nook and cranny of the world—is one of the hottest topics in the fashion industry today. It’s all sunshine and roses when you see those prim and proper closets, but has it always been this way, or is there untapped territory yet to be discovered? Well, there is! Much to our dismay, the fashion industry is the second-largest polluter in the world, prompting us to think beyond just price tags and trends. After gaining global traction, the phenomenon of ‘what is sustainable fashion’ is finally getting the attention it deserves in India. As they say, ‘better late than never,’ India’s fashion landscape might be late to this conscious party, but we are determined to weave change into our closets. Though the wave is only just rising, sustainable fashion and conscious clothing are not new entrants in Indian wardrobes, thanks to our vintage practices involving organic silhouettes and ethical production back in the day, Lifestyle Asia writes.
Apart from consumers making conscious choices, Indian couturiers are also to be credited for this wave of change and for defining what sustainable fashion is. Amidst the forest of fast fashion, the slogans of sustainability remind us to slow down, rethink and rediscover and so we do! Indian couturiers are not just shining on the global stage, but are also championing the art of sustainable fashion and how!? From upcycling, repurposing, and textile waste management, to various initiatives, India’s fashion landscape continues to weave vibrant tales, but with ethical threads this time. In light of this newfound consciousness and World Environment Day, it’s the perfect time to celebrate and acknowledge the conscious steps taken by India’s fashion landscape.
There is no evolution in fashion without peeping into past trend files; this is Indian fashion’s latest realisation. Shopping off the rack is exciting, but have you ever tried shopping from your own closets? Well, that hits differently. Several renowned designers are taking the repurposed and upcycled route to breathe new life into vintage pieces. Asha Gautam a 25-year-old clothing brand known for having a hold on India’s rich crafts gives upcycling a nod with their initiative ‘The Kadam Project’ by restoring years-old clothes into modern pieces. Another such instance of responsible fashion is the contemporary label, Péro by Aneeth Arora, imagine DIY, but make it couture! Arora aims at including upcycled pieces in all her collections setting an ethical example.
Krésha Bajaj is yet another name joining the club, courtesy of her recent endeavour ‘La Soriée. The project runs around the lines of curating new designs out of existing ones, so as to demonstrate how a garment can have more than just one life. /BGNES