The fashion industry isn’t restricted to clothes and is evident in every aspect of our lives. Fashion, which is constantly changing style, plays a major impact on the environmental. Since fashion was an immediate response production process and a new trend was born of dependence on inexpensive, impulse purchases. Also known as fast-fashion and is damaging our environment, causing a tragic loss of our workforce, and leaving us unsatisfied. Fashion is often be associated with illegal practices.
Eco-friendly fashion, also known as green style or slower fashion the focus of clothes that consider not only the environment but also the health of people who wear the clothing and the work conditions of those working on the garments. Handmade and natural products can be used effectively in the current era, and could be saved to the next time. Slow fashion industry concerns more than the environment, the rights of people, or fashion. It’s about living a way of life that is authentic and loyal to our beliefs and values. It is a choice of lifestyle.
Handicrafts and Textiles
Handicrafts and handlooms have the origins of the traditional India. The movement that was initiated by Mahatma Gandhi Home Spun Khadi, has artisans from across India however, the name is derived from the place of origin.
India offers a wide range of printed or hand painted hand-embroidered and resist dyed textiles. They include embroidered shawls from Kashmir as well as Punjab to the exquisite Chikankari from Lucknow as well as simple Kantha to complex Zardozis and Sindhikadhais to Kalamkaris bagsh, ajrakh, and bagru prints, to leheriyas and bandhanis. They are known for their distinctiveness. It plays an important economic role for the country with more than 65 lakh people involved in these pursuits. The Delhi HAAT event is a great marketing platform for these types of crafts.
Natural Textiles That Handmaded
Natural textiles are are cultivated on plants. There are a variety of varieties to choose from, each one with distinct ecological and social requirements.
GM cotton: There are two types of genetically modified cotton that were introduced in the past two years: Bt-cotton with a gene which lets the plant produce its own toxin for pest control, and herbicide-resistant cotton, which was that is adapted to handle particular herbicides. The reported advantages of each of these varieties lies in the lower levels of application of pesticides.
Lyocell: Lyocell is made of wood pulp, however it is processed in a way that solvents and water can be reused with minimal loss which reduces the environmental impact.Uses-Apparel such as dresses and coats, slacks and coats jeans.
Hemp: Hemp is a fast-growing and it smothers the other plant species (including weeds) so it doesn’t require the use of herbicides. The fibres are similar to flax, but slightly more coarse and more durable. Hemp can be used in various textile applications specifically for furnishing fabrics as well as “bottom weight” clothing. It is often mixed with other fibres such as silk, cotton or synthetics. Hemp Hemp is an ideal substitute for linen and cotton.
Silk: The silk is non-violent and comes from Assam Eri-silk is called Ahimsa silk since it’s manufactured without killing silkworms. It takes around a month to make 300 grams of Eri-silk. In the course of a year, a weaver will produces only seven Sarees.
Natural Dyeing (Colors From The Earth)
The clothing must have color for it to be of any market value. So, natural dyes can provide the color to eco-friendly fabrics. A further benefit for customers is less irritation by natural plant-based dyes as well as a lower risk of exposure to certain toxins.
Aal: The red blood dye ‘aal’ is one of the few dyes that is still processed and extracted entirely naturally. It’s an ancient dye recipe from the tribal communities from Naganar located in Chattisgarh, Bastar and Tokapar as well as the Orissa tribes of Koraput.
Eupatorium: The third most invasive plant in Asia and especially in the Himalayas, is utilized for dyeing textiles and for the extraction of pigment.
Indigo: The most popular and well-known dyes that dates back to the beginning of time until the present, it’s derived from Indigofera’s leaves.
Logwood: It is quite large, and freshly cut wood is not colourless until exposed to air.
Madder: A valuable pigment for dyes that gives Turkey Red Colour.
New Technologies:
- Liva – the latest fluid fabric made from Birla cellulose. It has excellent absorbency along with luster, smoothness, and the ability to drape. It is environmentally friendly, flexible and gorgeous.
- Color Zen (air dyeing)Use less water.
- Stone washing without water is a great way to wash denim, reducing water usage.
These are developments specifically designed for certain fabrics.
Green Designers
Through the years, and with the realization of the environmentally unsustainable and incredibly profit-driven nature of the industry there have been efforts to defy the norm and show the concept that sustainability in design and eco-friendly style is not an insinuation. In India designers such as Ritu Kumar, through her ongoing support for traditional weaver families and Deepika Govind with her experiments with organic denims have set the scene for a revolution in fashion industry, for a sector where fashion is ethical.
Eco-Friendly Brands
The list below of Indian brands who are committed to giving khadi a overhaul includes Natural Alley, Malkha, Metaphor Racha, Cotton Rack and many more. The other brands that are prominent include the following:
Fab India: Fab India has been around for over 52 years and is the largest private marketplace for products that are made using traditional techniques along with skills.Fab India links over 80,000 rural farmers with modern markets, creating sustainable jobs and also protecting the traditional crafts of India as well.
Aura Herbal Wear: Aura’s slogan “We live and dye naturally” displays their firm dedication to sustainable development. Their facility is powered by solar power and is not a slave labor facility and doesn’t produce harmful wastes. They are certified by GOTS along with a certificate to ensure total Recycle as well as other certifications.
Bhu Sattva: It is India’s first organic clothing brand in India using products directly obtained from organic cotton farmers on fair trade conditions. BhuSattva makes use of natural colours such as vegetable and herb dyes, and continues to revive various types of handloom weaving and traditional weaving.
Fashion industry giants such as Marks and Spencer and ASOS have transformed their businesses by demonstrating a commitment to sustainable practices throughout their value chains. Innovative initiatives such as Levi Strauss’ Waterless Jeans and Nike’s Material Sustainability Index along with The H&M Conscious Foundation all are steps to make a difference, initiatives that look at every aspect of supply chains cutting down on using PVCs in the fashion industry, and procuring ethical dyes from small-scale mills, eco-friendly glues as well as textile recycling shifting away from the testing of animals and products made from them extended producer responsibility on textile waste and much more.
Tips For Green Wardrobe
Eco-friendly fashion industry or green fashion doesn’t have to mean wearing baggy or unfitting clothes, gruel-hued hues or buying expensive items or going for a long time without shopping for new clothes. As consumers, we’re more conscious of the factors that go to make the clothes we love, and also the environmental and social impact that they can have prior to reaching us and when they’re out of our closets.
- Learn about the place, how, and the source from which your clothes were produced and the steps that they were made of. For the brands you’re the most loyal to find out about the procedures they use such as extraction manufacturing, disposal and the transport of what you purchase.
- A complete wardrobe overhaul can be a daunting and costly undertaking. The best approach to do this is to start small by focusing on your accessories. Find accessories that are made from sustainable materials like hemp, clay, and bamboo or made from newspaper, bottle caps glass, scrap cloth.
- Beware of synthetics.
- Purchase clothes in shapes, styles and colours that flatter your figure and you’ll be able to wear even if they’re from last season.
- There’s nothing wrong with purchasing new clothes you may require, but throwing away the old ones while they’re still in good condition is a faux-green fashion choice. Use options like reuse,resell, donate, remodel, repair etc. There are websites online like ebay, or fashion dealers like vestiare Collective online.
Conclusion
Sustainable products aren’t exactly visually appealing, but they can be emotionally satisfying since the wearer is aware that has been incorporated into a sustainable style that has done no damage to the environment. If you want to look stylish and contribute to the planet and other people, then you should try to buy quality clothing that will last for the rest of your life. Designers who are green and eco-friendly brands will ensure that you are outfitted to perfection, while helping the environment. The key difference is knowing that the clothing you’re wearing was made using methods that are acceptable to Mother Nature. ! Learn more
