From McCartney to Vuitton: Fashion designers promote sustainable fashion

As concern for the environment influences fashion choices, sustainable materials are gaining acceptance across the globe. HT Café takes a look at how this trend is shaping up in India.

Emma Watson,who is known for standing up for social causes, has added yet another feather to her hat. The 26-year-old has created a new Instagram account called ‘The Press Tour’ to promote eco-friendly fashion, and is using the platform to further the cause. At various occasions, Watson has been sporting outfits designed by several designers and brands that promote clothing made of eco-friendly material. The designers and brands include Stella McCartney, Filippa K, Oscar de la Renta and Nicolas Ghesquière of Louis Vuitton, among others.

The actor has long been an activist for sustainable fashion. Closer home, designers such as David Abraham and Rakesh Thakore, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Premal Badiani, and others, have highlighted clothing made with sustainable raw materials for their collections.

The peplum top and dhoti pants are made from pineapple and banana fibres, and native Eri silk, which is also known as Ahimsa silk. 

Just Rewind

Hand-spun and printed textiles were used to create this asymmetric two-tone poncho.

Global Connect

Badiani showcased her collection, which featured clothing made from wood pulp, at the Indian Consulate in New York, USA, as part of New York Fashion Week 2017. Calling it a “green initiative”, she says that she wanted to raise awareness about the human impact on the environment, and promote social responsibility by adopting sustainable fashion as a lifestyle choice.

This burgundy-coloured gown, with a hand-embroidered bodice and flared bottom, is made from the outer bark of palm trees from South India.

Style Statement

Even though the designers are using fashion runways and events to raise awareness about the cause, they are doing it in style. Sustainable or eco-friendly is no longer limited to kurtas and pyjamas. With designers experimenting with colours and eco-friendly fabrics, there are a variety of outfits you can opt for, including asymmetric ponchos, textured bundis, evening gowns and kaftans.