Sustainable fashion is undoubtedly growing to be of global importance. However, that doesn’t mean sustainability can only be limited to the international space. Here’s where you can get your hands on Indian wear that’s sustainable as well as style-driven.
1. Ekadi
Contemporary Indian label, Ekadi, works with traditional, often handwoven fabrics and crafts with local artisans. They also use garment patterns that help minimise wastage. The label has a section of Indian wear as well which includes sharara sets and tunic sets.
Image Source: Instagram/label.ekadi
2. Grassroot By Anita Dongre
Sustainable label Grassroot by designer Anita Dongre promotes rural women artisans as well as traditional textile crafts. The brand uses natural dyes and sustainable fabrics like cupro, bemberg (made using a by-product of cottonseed oil production, organic cotton, as well as other handcrafted textiles. The collections include sarees, kurta sets, kurtis and tunics.
Image Source: Instagram/grassrootbyanitadongre
3. Raw Mango
With a primary focus towards handloom, Raw Mango’s style sensibilities are deep rooted in Indian crafts and artisan communities, sourcing its materials from karigars across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Varanasi. You can turn to the brand for handcrafted silk sets, sarees, all with a modern yet chic touch.
Image Source: Instagram raw_mango\
4. Taneira
Part of the Titan Group, Taneira, houses materials from across the country under one roof, sourcing its handcrafted fabrics from 65 Indian weaving clusters. Apart from a huge range of sarees, for both occasion wear as well as casual wear, Taneira also offers a range of kurta sets, both stitched and unstitched, lehengas and blouses.
Image Source: Instagram/taneira_sarees
5. Amit Aggarwal
Designer Amit Aggarwal, known for his use of recycled materials and Indian crafts, creates a range of lehengas and sarees. While sticking to traditional silhouettes, the designer’s creations are rather modern and perfect for any kind of occasion wear.
Image Source: Instagram/amitaggarwalofficial
6. Anavila
One of the first labels to introduce women to linen sarees, Anavila has a range of sarees, blouses, kurtas as well as tunics. The garments are made of fabrics like handwoven linen, jamdani and cotton.
Image Source: Instagram/anavila_m
7. Okhai
Okhai houses traditionally handcrafted clothing and accessories from self-help groups and rural artisans from across India. The brand offers a large and rather affordable variety of kurtis, kurta sets, sarees and even unstitched suits.
Image Source: Instagram/okhai_org
8. Taavi
Another affordable brand, Taavi also focuses on traditional crafts like kalamkari, ajrakh, bagru and ikat, as well as natural dyes. You can find a whole range of kurta sets, kurtis, palazzos as well as tunics to choose from.
Image Source: Instagram/taavifrommyntra
9. W For Woman
Popular Indian wear brand W is known for its simple yet chic designs and wearable collections. The brand has also started using the fabric Livaeco in some of its designs. Livaeco is a cellulose-based fabric sourced sustainably from forests. The fabric also helps save water, biodegrades faster and has reduced CO2 emissions.
Image Source: myntra.com
10. Vraj:bhoomi
This sustainable, zero-waste brand focuses on the textile crafts of ajrakh, using natural dyes and working with rural artisans. Available in signature ajrakh hues are Vraj:bhoomi’s range of kurtas, dupattas and sarees.
Image Source: Instagram/vrajbhoomiindia