Indian Slow Fashion Labels that are Making A Sustainable Mark!

In a world where fast fashion dominates the market, the rise of slow fashion offers a refreshing and conscientious alternative. Slow fashion is not just a fleeting trend, it's a commitment to a more sustainable and ethical way of dressing. By focusing on high-quality, timeless pieces produced in small batches, slow fashion labels prioritise the health of our planet and the well-being of those who craft our clothes. This approach often involves using organic fabrics, sourcing from traditional weavers, and ensuring fair wages and working conditions for artisans. Embracing slow fashion means making thoughtful choices: investing in pieces that are made to last, promoting brands that advocate for sustainability, and cultivating a wardrobe that values quality over quantity. Intrigued by this mindful approach to fashion? Here’s a curated list of India's best slow fashion labels that are making a significant impact while offering truly amazing designs.

What Is Slow Fashion? A Deep Dive into Ethical and Sustainable Style

Slow fashion is a deliberate approach to clothing that prioritises sustainability, quality, and ethical production. Slow fashion involves practices such as using organic materials, maintaining fair labour conditions, and minimising environmental impact. This movement champions "slow production cycles" and "timeless designs" over fleeting trends and mass manufacturing. Slow fashion values "artisan craftsmanship" and "local production", fostering a more transparent and responsible fashion ecosystem. By embracing slow fashion, consumers contribute to a more sustainable future, celebrating clothing that is both beautiful and ethically made.

Indian Slow Fashion Labels we All should Know About

If you're looking to dive into the world of slow fashion, these Indian labels offer a fantastic starting point. Embracing sustainability, ethical production, and timeless design, these brands are revolutionising the fashion landscape while keeping style firmly in focus. These labels not only offer stylish alternatives to fast fashion but also champion ethical practices and sustainability. By recommending these brands, you’re investing in fashion that’s as good for the planet as it is for your wardrobe. Let’s explore some standout slow fashion labels from India that are making waves.

1. Chola The Label

Chola The Label by Sohaya Misra was born out of a little experiment in 2015, with its first exhibition at the Vintage Garden Trunk Show, in Mumbai. The founder believes in the mantra of 'less is more’ and creates each design keeping the integrity of the fabrics intact. It offers a modern take on minimalism with a focus on sustainability. Their collections emphasise the use of organic and eco-friendly fabrics, such as organic cotton and recycled materials. By producing garments in limited quantities, Chola aims at reducing waste and promotes a more responsible approach to fashion.

2. Doodlage

Doodlage is a well-known name in the Indian fashion scene. Renowned for their commitment to upcycling factory waste into exclusive collections, they lead the way in sustainable fashion by combining technology with eco-friendly materials. Their innovative approach has set new standards for conscious consumption. Doodlage by Kriti Tula stands out for its commitment to upcycling and reducing textile waste, having started out way before the world new of the term 'slow fashion'. The brand claims to transform discarded fabrics and garments into new, stylish pieces, including jackets and dresses. Their process is said to include collecting surplus fabric and remnants, which are then creatively repurposed, thus shrinking their environmental footprint.

3. Buna

Buna by Pallavi Shantam merges traditional Indian weaving techniques with sustainable practices. They focus on using natural dyes and handwoven fabrics, sourced directly from local artisans. Buna’s commitment to fair trade ensures that artisans receive fair wages and work in safe conditions, promoting ethical fashion while preserving traditional crafts. The brand's fabrics are custom-made in small batches by artisanal communities in West Bengal, Rajasthan and Gujarat.

4. No Nasties

As a pioneer in organic cotton fashion, No Nasties promises to ensure that all their garments are made from 100% certified organic cotton, free from harmful chemicals and pesticides. Their transparent supply chain and ethical manufacturing processes underscore their commitment to both environmental and social sustainability. The brand was started by Apurva Kothari in 2011 and even their Indian orders are shipped in recycled and compostable packaging. So there's no poly-bags, no plastic tapes, no landfill waste.

5. Suta

Suta is renowned for its use of handwoven textiles and traditional techniques. The brand collaborates with skilled weavers to produce high-quality sarees and garments. Their focus on sustainable practices includes using natural dyes and advocating for local craftsmanship, which helps preserve heritage skills while curtailing environmental impact. The brand runs an initiative called Suta Earth, where the brand is collecting old sarees and putting a system in place to upcycle them as packaging bags.

6. Ka-Sha

Ka-Sha promises dedication to sustainability through the use of natural dyes and eco-friendly fabrics. The brand emphasises slow production methods, crafting garments that are designed to last. Their commitment to sustainable fashion includes sourcing materials responsibly and supporting local artisans with fair wages. The labels' Heart to Haat program is inspired by the indigenous ideology of reusing, re-purposing and reclaiming and started out as a Zero-Waste endeavour at Ka Sha in 2012 to manage post-production waste. All Heart to Haat products are made using production waste and applying innovative design techniques.

7. Rimzim Dadu

Rimzim Dadu claims to combine innovative design with sustainability, using materials such as recycled fabrics and natural fibres. Her garments often feature intricate details and unique textures, created through techniques that minimise waste. The brand’s focus on slow fashion includes crafting limited-edition pieces that prioritise quality and environmental responsibility. Rimzim Dadu, a recipient of two Elle Style Awards, a Grazia Young Designer Award, and the FICCI Young Achiever Award, has also had her work featured at the esteemed Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

8. Rara Avis

Rara Avis says that it's committed to using organic and recycled materials in its collections. The brand’s focus on sustainability includes employing ethical production practices and creating garments that are designed to be both stylish and environmentally friendly. The designer, Sonal Verma showcased her Fall/winter 2015/16 collection followed by her Spring Summer 2016, further on Fall Winter 16/17 at the Lakme Fashion Week, Mumbai, India respectively.

9. Aavaran

Aavaran is said to be dedicated to using natural dyes and traditional dyeing techniques. Their clothing is handcrafted by artisans, and the brand emphasises sustainable practices such as cutting back on waste and endorsing fair trade. Each piece, including sarees and contemporary garments, reflects their commitment to environmental stewardship. Founded by Alka Sharma, Aavaran bridges the gap between traditional Dabu printing and contemporary fashion by blending age-old techniques with modern design sensibilities. The brand economically empowers indigenous craftspeople, supports over 200 women through training in various skills, and employs 100 people, all while promoting sustainable practices and designer-craftsperson interactions.

10. Maati by Neha Kabra

Maati by Neha Kabra is said to embody a blend of cultural heritage and environmental consciousness. The brand champions the use of natural fabrics and handloom techniques, focusing on sustainable practices that support local artisans. By incorporating traditional craft into modern designs, Maati not only reduces waste but also revitalises ancient textile traditions. Each piece is a testament to the harmony between ethical production and contemporary style. They use handloom khadi fabric which is produced by the Ganai Family in West Bengal, with minimum water and no electricity. The other natural power-loom fabric used by the label is upcycled from wasted cotton yarns.

11. Oshadi

Oshadi is dedicated to redefining luxury fashion through sustainability. The brand's ethos revolves around using organic, plant-based materials and dyes that are gentle on both the environment and the skin. Oshadi’s approach minimises ecological impact by ensuring that each garment is crafted with a focus on longevity and recyclability, thus aligning high fashion with environmental responsibility. The brand has a farmer-first format that lets the farmer decide the price of the cotton, rather than the buyer.

12. Grassroot by Anita Dongre

Grassroot by Anita Dongre merges elegance with ethical craftsmanship. This brand is committed to empowering rural artisans through fair trade practices and the use of eco-friendly materials. Grassroot's collections are characterised by their intricate handwork and sustainable fabric choices, such as organic cotton and natural dyes. By supporting traditional crafts and promoting sustainable development, Grassroot contributes to both the fashion industry and local communities.

13. Sui

Sui is a pioneering brand in sustainable fashion, celebrated for its use of upcycled and ethically sourced materials. The brand’s design philosophy is rooted in creating timeless pieces that reduce waste and promote responsible consumption. Sui’s commitment to transparent sourcing and eco-friendly production processes ensures that each garment has a minimal environmental footprint while offering unique, stylish options for consumers. The brand collaborates with ethical NGOs and similar establishments as a priority. Bagru Textiles, based in Rajasthan, was founded by the fifth-generation printer and master dyer, Viju Chhipa, and currently supports 16 local families.

14. The Terra Tribe

The Terra Tribe stands out for its dedication to sustainable luxury and artisan craftsmanship. By focusing on organic, eco-friendly materials and natural dyes, the brand creates elegant, high-quality garments that prioritise environmental and social responsibility. The brand’s commitment to ethical fashion is reflected in its support for artisans and sustainable production practices, making each piece a reflection of conscious style. The brand believes in transparency, good working conditions, the least carbon footprint, impeccable quality and circular ecosystem, embracing slow fashion at every step.

15. The Summer House

The Summer House claims to combine modern aesthetics with a commitment to sustainability. Known for its use of natural fabrics and eco-friendly dyes, the brand emphasises creating versatile, timeless designs that minimise environmental impact. By integrating traditional techniques with contemporary fashion, The Summer House promotes a thoughtful approach to style that values both quality and sustainability. Their Relove initiative allows you to sell and buy used items as each garment resold saves 6 times its weight in CO2!