At a time when fast fashion brands are accused of unethical practices, like the recent investigation by Earthsight NGO, that calls out H&M and Zara for illegal deforestation, land-grabbing and violence in Brazilian Cerrado, it is pertinent that we support more sustainable brands. A select few brands that are visualising out-of-the-box and picking up the most deviant pieces to design their clothes. But what are the ways in which a designer or a fashion label can contribute to circular fashion? The first thing that comes to mind is recycling textile waste — scrap pieces that are discarded during the making of a garment.
Unlock exclusive access to the latest news on India's general elections, only on the HT App. Download Now! Download Now! To do their bit for the environment, every other design house has now taken this route of upcycling. But there are only a select few brands that are visualising out-of-the-box and picking up the most deviant pieces to design their clothes.
From using discarded tyre tubes to old chatai mats in creating unique designs, these homegrown fashion labels are getting more creative with their upcycling approach. Rogue rehash Delhi-based label Graine repurposes rickshaw tyres to create a design element in their clothing. “Our current obsession is to repurpose the discarded tyre tubes in the wake of hundreds of cycle rickshaws that were thrown to dumps,” share sisters Mannat Sethi and Harshna Kandhari of Graine.
They continue, “Having worked clos.