Fashion With A Conscience

How India's $50 Billion Fashion Industry Is Embracing Sustainability, One Stitch At A Time.

- Abhya Adlakha

Circular fashion is slowly transforming the way we think about clothing in India.

Inside India's $50 billion fashion industry, circular fashion is weaving its way into the nation's sartorial consciousness. This movement, rooted in sustainability, is not just a trend but a homecoming return to India's rich heritage of textile recycling and craft-based traditions.

As the global fashion industry grapples with its environmental footprint-contributing a staggering 10 percent of global carbon emissions-India finds itself at a pivotal crossroads. The country's advantage lies in its deep-seated traditions of handloom weaving and handicrafts, forming the second-largest employment sector after agriculture.

From the narrow gullies of Delhi's fashion districts to the high-tech warehouses of Bangalore, a new generation of designers and entrepreneurs is proving that what's old can indeed be made new againand spectacularly so. With startups like Trustrace, R Elan, and Warp 'n Weft, designers are embracing sustainable practices, from recycling old clothes to reducing textile waste.

In the land of vibrant textiles and heritage craftsmanship, circular fashion feels like a homecoming rather than a revolution. These brands are not just making clothes-they are weaving a future where fashion respects both people and the planet, one stitch at a time.

THE PIONEERS: WEAVING SUSTAINABILITY INTO STYLE

At the forefront of this metamorphosis stands Doodlage, a beacon of upcycled chic that transforms factory waste into wearable art. Founded by Kriti Tula, Doodlage creates clothing from fabric scraps, transforming what would be waste into beautifully designed pieces.