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India is known for its rich cultural history and artisanal textile traditions, and is host to fashion labels creating beautiful clothing that is more respectful of people, the planet, and animals. Here are our favourite more sustainable clothing brands from India.
Clothing rooted in artisanal craft
India’s fashion is known worldwide for its brilliant colours, intricate designs, and craftsmanship. And as one of the largest producers of textiles in the world—and one of the leading global sources of organic cotton, according to Textile Exchange’s Organic Cotton Market Report (2022)—it is also a prime example of an area where the expanding sustainable fashion movement can thrive.
However, owing to globalisation, legacies of colonialism, and outsourcing of cheap skilled labour, much of the clothing labelled as made in India that is sold by the most profitable fast fashion brands—like H&M and Zara—is rooted in worker exploitation and environmental harm. Fast fashion’s race to the bottom has led to the devaluing of local artisanal craft and the disruption of time-honoured handcrafting techniques.
By supporting Indian fashion labels that have roots in the region, are creating more responsibly made clothing, and doing better by people, the planet, and animals, you are helping to shift the fashion landscape.
So what makes a fashion brand more ethical than others?
Long story short, a more responsible brand makes sure it positively affects our Earth and its inhabitants.
A more ethical brand ensures its workers are treated fairly across the supply chain. This includes policies and practices on child labour, forced labour, worker safety, the right to join a union, and paying a living wage.
A more sustainable brand also cares about its use of resources and energy, reducing its carbon emissions, impact on our waterways, and using and disposing of chemicals safely.
Finally, a conscious brand uses no or very few animal products, like wool, leather, fur, angora, down feather, shearling, karakul, and exotic animal skin and hair. Ideally, the brand is 100% vegan.
And if you’re curious about more sustainable brands in other regions, check out our favourite brands from:
- the USA (including brands from California, LA, and New York)
- Canada
- Europe (and more specifically from Germany (including Berlin), Belgium, Spain and Portugal, Italy (including Milan), France (and Paris), the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark, and Switzerland)
- the UK (and brands from London)
- Australia and New Zealand
