Organic fabrics, azo-free printing, natural dyes and bamboo blends—eco-friendly wear is getting fashionable.
At a time when the whole world seems to be discussing global warming over coffee, it shouldn’t be surprising why eco-friendly fashion is not just a passing fad but here to stay. Sasawashi, soya, sea cell, organic cotton and reclaimed lace and beading are the key words as ‘eco-friendly’ fashion is now proving that going green can be chic! Organic cotton and vegetable dyes are increasingly being used by brands and designers alike through the seasons.
Designs on you
Designer Ruchira Kandhari (Kolkata based label Ekru Bio) used organic cotton during the Lakme Fashion
Week and the Wills India Fashion Week. She states, “Both Ekta (Jaipuria, co-partner) and I want to create more awareness about eco-friendly fashion. So, we started off with our spring summer collection The Sapling, which drew its inspiration from earth. It fused organic cotton with other natural fabrics and azo-free printing, apart from hand embroideries like thread work, appliqué and dori,” she reveals.
Their latest collection The Awakening too has the same materials used. “We have used organic fabrics and vanya silks, azo free printing and dyeing techniques,” emphasises Ruchira.
Designer duo Shyamal and Bhumika have designed eco-friendly collections for years now. “We’ve been using mainly silks and cottons. Our fabrics are mostly hand-woven. So there’s hardly any use of electricity. We also use natural fibres. We’ll be using natural indigo for a denim line. What better thing than to come up with a stylish, comfortable and an environment friendly collection!” explains Shyamal.
The b(r)andwagon
Many brands have also come up with eco-friendly lines. FCUK has been using 100 per cent organic cotton for its T-shirts, shirts and denims for years now.
Then there’s the line by Wrangler called Naturally, which has its paraphernalia made from organic fabrics, natural dyes, raw denim, real indigo and super light linen. Even for the men, it goes all natural in woven fabrics which include linen, viscose and bamboo blends.
Eco friendly accessories
Fashion brand Moschino has created an ecological re-usable Planet Lover bag. Nike too has done its bit. So you have a shoe re-made with recycled parts and with fewer individual components. The shoe features almost no lining and a snap-lock cage construction that requires less glue and stitching. Also, the shop Eco Corner at
Atria mall, boasts of its collection of eco-friendly banana fibre clutches. These clutches even have cotton
lining inside.
p_vidya@dnaindia.net
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}