Slow fashion is finally getting its rightful revival in India

With a population of 1.46 billion, India is currently one of the world's biggest garment manufacturers who caters to businesses across the globe. There was a time when India's signature craftsmanship was reflected in every piece of cloth manufactured in this country. Then came the infamous East India Company of the British Raj, who cared less about quality and craftsmanship and more about profit margins derived from Indian craftsmanship. The nation's colonisers imposed high tariffs on Indian textiles, thus promoting British textiles which were available at a lesser price.

The clothes that once lasted lifetimes were replaced with those which barely made for a fortnight; leading them to be discarded quickly. Today, even 80 years after independence, discarding clothes quickly, social media prompting us to buy new styles every other day and big fast fashion brands selling clothes cheaper than coffee, has led to closets that are overfilled with clothes, many of which have never been worn since their arrival. When we replace barely-worn clothes with newer styles (bought at 50% off? What a steal, right?) the older ones end up in landfills and oceans, endangering Earth's ecosystem.

Enter slow, sustainable fashion. Much like the appropriating of South Asian dupattas as Scandinavian scarves, the West has now made sustainability a buzzword; almost as if capitalists had a change of heart about the environment. However sustainability was never just a buzzword in India; it was a lifestyle. The country; which is globally-known for yoga and Ayurveda, practised slow living right from the start. Many environmentally-friendly opulent fabrics and prints were unfortunately lost in translation during the years of the British Raj, but the newer generations of India are bringing back the lost slow fashion to the culture where it always belonged. 

For clothes to qualify as sustainable, they need to be organic and cruelty-free. No Nasties is a brand that prides itself on off-setting their carbon footprint with every product they make. Made from organic cotton, the easy-breezy sets and shirts fit right into the Indian summer wardrobe. The Summer House, another Indian label that has clothing options for summer, is made from handwoven fabrics like khadi, tencel and organic cotton. Taking notes from Indian craftsmanship, they work with rural artisans and revive vulnerable craft communities to help them make the shift from exploitative practices. 

The point of slow fashion is for clothes to last for long periods of time without being downgraded in quality while also promoting local crafts and craftsmenship. Handcrafted garments are in a league of their own when it comes to fashion, as they offer unique artistry and superior quality while being sustainable to the core. Opting for fashion labels that believe in delivering quality through short production runs can help one make more sustainable choices. The Terra Tribe is also a label that tailors women's wear made from locally manufactured Tencel, complete with recycled metal trims. 

Empowering local artists; as opposed to using machines, is the heart of sustainability, especially when those local artisans are minority and vulnerable groups. This saves local communities from exploitation and also saves resources. Labels like Sui, Grassroot by Anita Dongre, and Okhai, work towards the empowerment of local communities, especially women, thus uplifting local artisans from underprivileged, rural backgrounds by providing them with work to improve their financial and social standing in society. 

One of the best parts about slow and sustainable fashion is their avoidance of chemicals and artificial dyes that are not only good for the environment but also for our skin. Many Indian labels like Sui, Oshadi and 11.11 have taken strides to stop the usage of dyes in their clothes and opt for recyclable and natural materials to make clothes. Some labels take this one step ahead by making clothes from materials like recycled, regenerative wool and cotton. 

Many Indian labels, luxe designers and homegrown brands are championing sustainability through slow and ethical fashion. The Indian fashion business employs over 45 million people and fashion businesses around the world are commissioning their work from Indian artisans for their quality work and slow fashion. Unfortunately, in a world filled with capitalist greed and fast fashion, quality Indian artisans are barely able to make living wages, as a majority, fall for the cheaper rates offered by mass manufacturers.

As a responsible consumer, the burden of making the right choice when purchasing clothes falls on us. While all of us can't function like Greta Thunberg does, we can surely do our part to save the planet we live in. Not doing so only harms us, so making better choices is our moral obligation, and surprisingly, it's not as tough to do so. There are plenty of options when aiming to buy ethically and locally produced quality garments without breaking the bank. 

These styles may not qualify as trendy, but style is meant to be personal and homegrown labels, handwoven fabrics, handcrafted garments and slow fashion are the best things for your closet and your planet.