India, with its rich tradition of textiles and fashion, is becoming a hub for sustainable fashion. With increasing awareness about environmental issues and ethical fashion, several startups have emerged, focusing on eco-friendly materials, ethical labor practices, and innovative recycling methods. Here are ten of the most notable sustainable fashion startups in India:
1. No Nasties
No Nasties is a pioneering organic and fairtrade fashion brand based in Goa. The company uses 100% organic cotton and adheres to fair trade practices. No Nasties ensures no harmful chemicals are used in their production process and that workers are paid fair wages.
| Founders | Founded | Location | Overview | Sustainability Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apurva Kothari | 2011 | Goa | Organic and fairtrade fashion. Uses 100% organic cotton and adheres to fair trade practices. | Organic cotton, Fair trade practices, Zero-waste fashion. |
Sustainability Focus:
- Use of organic cotton.
- Fair trade practices.
- Zero-waste fashion.
2. Doodlage
Doodlage is known for its upcycled and recycled fashion. The brand combines scraps of fabrics from large manufacturers to create unique, eco-friendly clothing. They focus on reducing textile waste and promoting sustainable fashion.
| Founders | Founded | Location | Overview | Sustainability Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kriti Tula | 2012 | New Delhi | Upcycled and recycled fashion, combining scraps of fabrics from large manufacturers. | Upcycling industrial waste, Use of recycled materials. |
Sustainability Focus:
- Upcycling industrial waste.
- Use of recycled materials.
- Minimal waste production.
3. Nicobar
Nicobar is a lifestyle brand that emphasizes sustainable living. The company integrates eco-friendly practices in its production, from sourcing natural materials to using environmentally friendly dyes. Their minimalist and contemporary designs reflect a commitment to sustainable fashion.
| Founders | Founded | Location | Overview | Sustainability Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simran Lal and Raul Rai | 2016 | Mumbai | Lifestyle brand that integrates eco-friendly practices in production. | Natural fibers, Eco-friendly dyes, Sustainable packaging. |
Sustainability Focus:
- Use of natural fibers.
- Eco-friendly dyes.
- Sustainable packaging.
4. Okhai
Okhai empowers rural artisans, especially women, by providing them with training and a platform to sell their handcrafted products. The brand is dedicated to preserving traditional crafts and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
| Founders | Founded | Location | Overview | Sustainability Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCSRD | 2008 | Gujarat | Empowers rural artisans by providing training and a platform to sell handcrafted products. | Empowerment of rural artisans, Promotion of traditional crafts. |
Sustainability Focus:
- Empowerment of rural artisans.
- Promotion of traditional crafts.
- Ethical production practices.
5. Upasana
Upasana is a fashion brand based in Auroville that combines sustainability with social responsibility. The brand works with various community projects to support local artisans and promote sustainable living through fashion.
| Founders | Founded | Location | Overview | Sustainability Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uma Prajapati | 1997 | Auroville | Combines sustainability with social responsibility, supporting local artisans. | Community-based projects, Support for local artisans. |
Sustainability Focus:
- Community-based projects.
- Support for local artisans.
- Sustainable materials and processes.
6. Ethicus
Ethicus is a brand committed to creating eco-friendly and ethically made fashion. The company uses organic cotton sourced from their farm and ensures fair wages and good working conditions for their workers.
| Founders | Founded | Location | Overview | Sustainability Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vijayalakshmi Nachiar, Mani Chinnaswamy | 2009 | Tamil Nadu | Creates eco-friendly and ethically made fashion using organic cotton from their farm. | Organic cotton, Ethical labor practices, Transparent supply chain. |
Sustainability Focus:
- Organic cotton.
- Ethical labor practices.
- Transparent supply chain.
7. Brown Boy
Brown Boy is an organic and fairtrade clothing brand that focuses on sustainable fashion. The brand offers a wide range of products made from organic cotton and follows strict fairtrade guidelines to ensure ethical production.
| Founders | Founded | Location | Overview | Sustainability Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prateek Jha | 2016 | Mumbai | Organic and fair trade clothing brand focusing on sustainable fashion. | Organic materials, Fair trade certification. |
Sustainability Focus:
- Organic materials.
- Fair trade certification.
- Ethical production practices.
8. Bhane
Bhane is a contemporary clothing brand that promotes sustainable and ethical fashion. The company focuses on minimalistic designs and uses sustainable materials. Bhane also emphasizes fair wages and safe working conditions for its workers.
| Founders | Founded | Location | Overview | Sustainability Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anand Ahuja | 2013 | New Delhi | Contemporary clothing brand promoting sustainable and ethical fashion. | Sustainable materials, Ethical labor practices. |
Sustainability Focus:
- Sustainable materials.
- Ethical labor practices.
- Minimalistic design philosophy.
9. Indigene
Indigene is a fashion brand that works closely with artisans to create handmade and eco-friendly clothing. The brand focuses on using natural dyes and sustainable fabrics while preserving traditional craftsmanship.
| Founders | Founded | Location | Overview | Sustainability Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaya Bhatt, Ruchi Tripathi | 2011 | New Delhi | Works with artisans to create handmade and eco-friendly clothing. | Handcrafted products, Natural dyes, Artisan empowerment. |
Sustainability Focus:
- Handcrafted products.
- Natural dyes.
- Artisan empowerment.
10. Rimagined
Rimagined is a brand dedicated to upcycling and recycling waste materials into fashionable products. The company creates a wide range of accessories and home decor items from discarded materials, promoting a zero-waste lifestyle.
| Founders | Founded | Location | Overview | Sustainability Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nivedita Arjun | 2016 | Bangalore | Dedicated to upcycling and recycling waste materials into fashionable products. | Upcycling and recycling, Zero-waste philosophy. |
Sustainability Focus:
- Upcycling and recycling.
- Zero-waste philosophy.
- Creative reuse of materials.
Frequently asked question and answers on Top 10 Sustainable Fashion Startups in India:
Key Sustainable Fashion Expert in India
Bandana Tewari is a prominent sustainable fashion advocate in India. She is a fashion journalist and a former editor-at-large for Vogue India. Bandana is known for her work on promoting sustainability in the fashion industry, addressing issues like ethical fashion, craftsmanship, and the environmental impact of fashion.
The 7 Rs of Sustainable Fashion
The 7 Rs of sustainable fashion are guiding principles that help reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry:
- Reduce: Minimize waste by buying less and choosing quality over quantity.
- Reuse: Extend the life of garments by repurposing or using them in different ways.
- Recycle: Process old clothing into new materials or products.
- Repair: Fix damaged clothing to extend its lifespan.
- Rent: Use rental services for clothing to reduce the need for new items.
- Return: Return clothes to brands that offer recycling or repurposing programs.
- Resell: Sell unwanted clothes to give them a new life with someone else.
The 5 Rs of Sustainable Fashion
The 5 Rs of sustainable fashion are a simplified version focusing on core sustainable practices:
- Reduce: Cut down on consumption and waste.
- Reuse: Repurpose or find new uses for old clothing.
- Recycle: Transform old garments into new materials.
- Repair: Fix and mend clothing to avoid discarding them.
- Resell: Sell or donate used clothing to extend their lifecycle.
Most Sustainable Fashion Designers
- Stella McCartney: Renowned for her commitment to sustainable and ethical fashion.
- Eileen Fisher: Focuses on eco-friendly materials and fair labor practices.
- Vivienne Westwood: Advocates for environmental causes and sustainable fashion.
- Gabriela Hearst: Known for using sustainable materials and practices in her designs.
- Anita Dongre (India): Promotes sustainable practices and supports rural artisans.
Top 10 Sustainable Fashion Brands in India
- No Nasties: Organic and fair trade fashion.
- Doodlage: Upcycled and recycled fashion.
- Nicobar: Natural materials and eco-friendly dyes.
- Okhai: Empowering rural artisans.
- Upasana: Community-based projects and sustainable materials.
- Ethicus: Organic cotton and ethical practices.
- Brown Boy: Organic and fair trade clothing.
- Bhane: Minimalistic and sustainable designs.
- Indigene: Handcrafted and naturally dyed products.
- Rimagined: Upcycled and recycled products.
Affordable Sustainable Fashion Brands in India
- Pomogrenade: Affordable and sustainable casual wear.
- Quancious: Eco-friendly clothing with reasonable pricing.
- Suta: Sustainable sarees and apparel at accessible prices.
- Zola India: Affordable traditional and contemporary sustainable fashion.
- Hoomanwear: Focuses on affordable organic clothing.
Top 10 Sustainable Fashion Startups in India (2020 & 2021)
- No Nasties
- Doodlage
- Nicobar
- Okhai
- Upasana
- Ethicus
- Brown Boy
- Bhane
- Indigene
- Rimagined
Top Sustainable Brands in India
- No Nasties
- Doodlage
- Nicobar
- Okhai
- Upasana
- Ethicus
- Brown Boy
- Bhane
- Indigene
- Rimagined
No Nasties
No Nasties is a leading sustainable fashion brand in India known for its commitment to organic and fair trade fashion. The brand uses 100% organic cotton and ensures fair wages and safe working conditions for its workers, adhering to zero-waste practices.
Sustainable Fashion Brands in the World
- Stella McCartney (UK)
- Eileen Fisher (USA)
- Patagonia (USA)
- Reformation (USA)
- People Tree (UK)
- Veja (France)
- Thought Clothing (UK)
- Amour Vert (USA)
- Mara Hoffman (USA)
- Nudie Jeans (Sweden)
Conclusion:
These startups are leading the way in sustainable fashion in India, each contributing uniquely to reducing the environmental impact of the fashion industry. By prioritizing organic materials, ethical labor practices, and innovative recycling methods, these brands are not only setting a benchmark in the industry but also inspiring a generation of conscious consumers to make sustainable choices.
India’s sustainable fashion landscape is rich with innovative brands and designers who are committed to ethical and eco-friendly practices. From key experts like Bandana Tewari to leading brands such as No Nasties and Doodlage, the country is making significant strides towards a more sustainable fashion industry. By embracing the principles of the 5 Rs and 7 Rs of sustainable fashion, these brands and designers are paving the way for a more sustainable future.
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