Conscious clothing finds the spotlight at FDCI X Lakmé Fashion Week

Sustainability has been the hottest buzzword at fashion weeks across the globe this year, and for good reason—it’s a burning issue for the fashion industry whose carbon emissions make up nearly 10% of the world’s total. In that vein, the ongoing FDCI X Lakmé Fashion Week has taken various measures towards creating a greener space, and has so far seen Indian designers presenting collections that put the focus on eco-friendly fashion. From an insightful talk on fashion’s impact on climate, to a timeless showcase by Abraham and Thakore that was all about taking a trend-agnostic approach, Bazaar India brings you the scoop. 

Tencel X Anju Modi

Couturier Anju Modi, who’s known for her intricate and handcrafted collections that shine a light on traditional crafts, collaborated with Lenzing for her showcase. The vibrant old-world collection flaunted eco-friendly drapes in deep yellows and delicate ivories along with luxurious reds and pinks. It was made using Tencel, the natural fabric made from wood pulp and wood chips that uses less chemicals and produces minimal waste. 

Abraham and Thakore

If one has to sum up Abraham and Thakore’s show in one word, it would be timeless. Giving a nod to their design philosophy of slow fashion, the duo took iconic designs from their past collections and gave them a fresh look—reiterating their thought that a classic garment will never go out of style. They forewent trends for contemporary designs that they hope stand the test of time. 

Studio Medium

Riddhi Jain’s label experimented with beloved Indian weaves jamdani and bandhani for the Jamban Journal 2.0 collection. Though she merged the traditional fabrics with modern free-flowing silhouette like tunics and kurtas, it was the nine-yard sari that was the focal point of the showcase. 

Eka 

Eka's It’s Only a Dream collection, too, made use of jamdani and cotton silks. Romantic drapes inspired from Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll featured block printed motifs. Other light hand-woven fabrics like kota and linen blends were also highlighted in the collection. 

Diksha Khanna 

Fluid, natural, and beyond boundaries—that’s what Diksha Khanna’s Fluid 2023 line was all about. The designer chose natural dyed hand-woven denim, silk chanderis, and breezy linen in soothing shades of indigo, orange, and brown to showcase her creativity. The focus was on creating a collection that transcends seasons. 

Swatti Kapoor 

Swatti Kapoor’ collection Venus, inspired by the Greek goddess of love, was a study in environmentally-friendly fashion. The line included breathable chanderi, khadi, and mul in relaxed silhouettes—perfect for the on-the-go modern woman who wants to be more responsible with her clothing choices. 

R|Elan

R|Elan presented the Circular Design Challenge winner PIEUX in partnership with the United Nations on day two of the fashion week. PIEUX's collection used eco-friendly materials like CARTEX (made from up-cycled carpet waste) and R|Elan Greengold (recycled polyester made from PET Bottles) among other organic textiles for the garments as well as the footwear.

Humanity Centred Designs

Woolmark’s Impact Hub was launched by RISE Worldwide—a unique art gallery-esque space that showcased sustainable and circular fashion innovations designed by Humanity Centred Designs.

Fashion, climate, and the role of women

RISE Worldwide and British Council of India organized an eye-opening talk on fashion, climate, and the role of women to highlight how fashion impacts climate and how women are important in the fashion ecosystem. The discussion brought together influential voices in the fashion industry—veteran designer Anita Dongre, Priya Krishnamoorthy of 200 Million Artisans, and sustainability advocate Aditi Mayer, moderated by Supriya David.

R|Elan X Gauri and Nainika  

Designer duo Gauri and Nainika showcased their eco-friendly collection in collaboration with R|Elan featuring one of its new biodegradable fabrics.