In a world where fashion occupies a significant place in people’s lives, the growth of fast fashion was a much desirable consequence. However with the current scenario where global warming rates have gone higher than ever and the planet needs urgent rescue, people have started to realise the severe effects fast fashion has on our Earth. It contributes to significant environmental degradation, exploitative labour practices, overconsumption and consumer pressure. Eco-friendly fashion meanwhile has acquired a spotlight in the fashion world as fashion that is sustainable and kind to the planet. India is one of the world’s largest garment manufacturers, here are some Indian brands who, with their Sustainable clothing lines, are creating an impact.
The Indian Sustainability
Sustainable fashion resorts to fashion that uses organic clothing materials like cotton, linen and Hemp. With its wealthy cultural heritage, India occupies a unique position in the fashion industry. Doodlage, No Nasties, Nicobar, The Summer House, SUTA, Okhai and Maati are the few brands to name that have been successful in making eco-friendly clothing that’s also chic. Let’s explore a few of them.
No Nasties: Just as their name suggests, No Nasties is a sustainable,vegan and ethically made clothing brand. Their clothes are made with organic cotton and the brand has zero plastic packaging, fair trade factories and 100 percent Vegan products. They also invest in offset projects like wind energy, solar power, replanting and forest protection.
Doodlage: Doodlage is an upcycled, recycled and zero waste brand that offers versatile styles of clothing. Founded by Kriti Tula, the brand also provides fair wage production.
Beej: Beej uses an upcycled textile called Khesh and works with new age, sustainable materials. Their clothing is made by a single artisan and the brand has a transparent supply chain and zero waste packaging.
The Summer House: The brand offers organic clothing that is mindfully designed for the buyers. The brand focuses on sustainability and their fabrics are made by artisans in certified factories.
Homegrown Indian Brands that ace sustainability
While there are larger brands that are becoming more aware about their products being Eco-friendly. There are many homegrown brands that have made a significant mark and aced the Sustainable fashion game. To name a few are Khadiwala, SUI, Chidiya, Anokhi, Okhai, Daughter Earth and Nappa Dori. Let’s take a glimpse at some of them.
Okhai: A brand whose main purpose is women empowerment, with fabrics made by female artisans from rural areas, who belong to unprivileged backgrounds, the brand ventures to provide them financial independence and promote their upliftment. Okhai uses organic fabrics in their clothing and has a wide range of beautifully crafted pieces.
SUI: SUI is a slow fashion brand that is vetted with NGO’s. The brand uses herbal dyes and organic fabrics in its clothing, promoting sustainability.
Maati: Based out of the beautiful city of Udaipur, Maati is a brand who’s garments are manufactured by local artisans of Rajasthan, under good working conditions and fair wages.
Anokhi: Known for its hand block,printing and natural dyeing techniques that are eco-friendly, the brand offers a wide range of eco-friendly apparel.
Eco-friendly and Sustainable fashion offers a number of benefits ranging from reduced pollution, conservation of resources, ethical labour practices, lower carbon footprint to healthier choices. With such brands providing beautiful clothings that also promotes the wellness of the planet, slow fashion becomes more accessible to everyone. While fashion is an essential component of the present years, eco-friendly brands enable people to make guilt free fashion choices that satisfies their fashionable spirit and also the spirit of the planet.
