1O Best Sustainable Fashion Brands in India & Lifestyle Products
The fashion industry is essential to the global economy in generating billions of dollars in revenue yearly. However, it has a direct impact on the environment. Therefore, the need for sustainable fashion has become a crucial topic worldwide. India, one of the world’s largest textile producers, has also seen a rise in the sustainable fashion market.
In recent years, consumer awareness and government policies promoting sustainable development have led to a growing demand for sustainable fashion in India.
Present scenario of sustainable fashion in India
Even though India’s textiles and garments industry contributes to 5% of the country’s GDP, fashion is well known to be one of the most polluting industries globally—the production and disposal of clothing result in extensive waste and emissions, affecting the environment.
The sustainable fashion market in India is still in its early stages, but it has shown persistent growth over the past couple of years.
In recent years, many Indian brands and designers have adopted sustainable methods to address these issues. The sustainable fashion market in India is anticipated to increase at a CAGR of 10.6% within 2021-2026, as per the report of ResearchAndMarkets.com. The report also indicates that consumer awareness, government initiatives, and the availability of eco-friendly materials will drive the market’s growth.
Furthermore, as per the Ministry of Textiles reports, India recycles about 60% of its textile waste. Handloom and handicrafts are traditional textile production methods in India and are considered sustainable as they demand minimal energy and water.
Ahead, find 10 Indian sustainable fashion brands and lifestyle products harnessing the country’s assets for all the world to see.
B Label
B Label is a brand committed to sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Each piece of clothing is crafted with care and attention using one of the world’s most muscular natural fibers: hemp. Hemp offers many benefits, such as UV-resistant, mold and mildew-resistant, and carbon negative.
The Bombay Hemp Company is an agro-based company transforming Indian agriculture and promoting sustainable living. The brand uses organic and sustainable fabric free from harmful pesticides and chemicals. Using hemp as a sustainable material, B Label and The Bombay Hemp Company are meaningfully impacting the ecosystem.
Mix Mitti
Mix Mitti is a youthful accessories company contributing to the rising number of sustainable, slow, and green fashion companies. Founded by wildlife photographer Shivangi Bajpai, this eco-friendly accessories business also donates a part of its earnings to animal welfare organizations, which makes shopping with them more worthy.
Mix Mitti uses cotton fabric, duck cloth, and hemp cloth, which is fully biodegradable. They also plan to include eco-friendly materials like woolen felt and jute in their creations. Moreover, the bags have a pair of fake suede and PU, animal-friendly fabrics, and perfect replacements for suede and leather. Mix Mitti focuses on the environment and animal welfare in their products.
Beej
Beej is a sustainable fashion brand from India established by Arundhati Kumar in 2020. It is a Mumbai-based brand and produces fashion accessories like handbags, clutches, wallets, iPad sleeves, or covers, using plant-based materials like Desserto, Cork, and Pinatex.
Pinatex is a natural, non-woven textile made from pineapple plant leaves, while Dessert is made from the pulp of the Nopal cactus. It’s another plant-based material; Cork comes from the bark of the cork oak tree. The brand’s eco-friendly approach toward fashion encourages the use of plant-based materials that are both long-lasting and environmentally friendly.
Vanaras
Vanaras crafts its clothing using GOTS-certified organic cotton. The label’s entire range is bio-degradable, and the best part is if you’d like a dress in a different color, they can make it for you.
It promotes a slow fashion and a sustainable lifestyle; its limited range distinguishes itself by featuring botanical prints or merging unique design elements like buttons, tie-up detailing, thoughtfully placed cuts, frills, and folds, transforming each piece into more than an essential item.
Maati
Based out of the picturesque Udaipur in Rajasthan, Maati designs understated everyday staples that can win your hearts for their minimally chic aesthetic. This is a PETA-verified brand that promotes zero waste and zero use of plastic, even in its packaging.
Some parts of the fabric are also upcycled, so that’s one of a kind. From peplum tops and jumpers to dungarees and boxy pants—there’s so much to pick from. The brand has adorable face masks and laptop covers made from export-reject fabric and hemmed together in jaw-dropping patterns.
Daughters Of The Ganges
Daughters Of The Ganges is a socially mindful brand that brings you handcrafted and ethically produced fashion products from India. The company was started with the idea of DOTG to make a difference in the lives of marginalized communities in India. The founders believe that one practical approach is to support artisans, particularly women, in these communities by sticking to Fair Trade principles as their guiding framework, which could be a great way to give employment to rural artists.
As a sister affiliate of CFM Market Linkages, a WFTO-certified organization, they source products from well-experienced artisan communities and are willing to promote their precious traditions and crafts. Their products include earrings, necklaces, and more that are oh-so-quirky yet classy. These elegant pieces will have your heart, and you will hoard them.
Zouk
Zouk is another PETA-approved vegan brand on our list of top 10 sustainable fashion brands in India, which means no animals get hurt while producing Zouk products. It is a cruelty-free and handcrafted brand that introduces the vibrant Indian culture to the Western world.
Everything is not only thoughtfully designed but also designed by the artist community of India, which makes their product authentic, eco-friendly, and worth buying. Zouk is a brand whose products give off a refreshing vibe because of the choice of colors and designs they put into them. Their range includes tote bags, wallets, duffle bags, office bags, laptop bags, and more that you can grab online.
Grassroot By ANITA DONGRE
One of India’s most successful designers, Anita Dongre’s Grassroot label consists of ethically made sustainable clothing that nurtures artisanship and preserves traditions by employing female artisans from small towns and villages who are the keepers of ancient Indian crafts.
Grassroot’s clothing range is vibrant and detailed, from traditional sarees and kurta sets to a few dresses. Embroidered with intricate threadwork that is hand-embroidered or dyed using time-honored techniques, these clothes will take you on a traditional trip across India.
Oshadi
Pronounced as aw-sh-dhi, Oshadi translates to the essence of nature or a healing plant in Sanskrit — a name that aptly describes their mission of eco-friendly clothing in India. It started as a womenswear label in 2016 and has become a ‘seed-to-sew’ vertically merged with a sustainable supply chain.
Oshadi grows cotton and indigo on its farm using therapeutic techniques, putting nutrients back into the soil to support its regenerative fashion mission. Besides focusing on its humble mission, Oshadi has a range of intricately dyed organic cotton clothing.
Mamaearth
The Mamaearth company is an Indian unicorn brand that offers a wide range of cosmetic products to elevate its customers’ daily skincare routine. It was started in 2016 to solve the everyday problems of young parents with safe, toxin-free, international standard products so that you can enjoy the joy of parenting without worrying.
Mamaearth creates products with natural ingredients free from harmful chemicals like parabens, silicones, mineral oils, and SLS. They even use plant-based preservatives and essential oils to ensure gentle formulations on the skin.
Final Word:
These brands are just a few making a difference sustainably. By supporting these brands, you can help create a more sustainable future for the fashion industry and the environment. Whether you’re looking for clothing, footwear, or accessories, many options are stylish and eco-friendly.
With education and awareness campaigns, increased production and distribution, investment in sustainable infrastructure and technology, and improved marketing strategies, sustainable brands in India can promote sustainability and social responsibility in the fashion industry.
Prachi, an accomplished Chief-Editor at The Sustainable Brands Journal, has 15+ years of experience in Europe, the Middle East, and India, managing 90+ global sustainable brands. She’s a prolific writer in sustainability, contributing to various publications. Prachi’s unwavering passion and expertise make her a recognized authority, driving positive change and inspiring a sustainable future.
