As is often said, the most sustainable choice of clothing is the one that is already in your wardrobe. The art of upcycling, reviving and recreating and transforming clothes to increase their longevity isn’t a new or novel concept. In fact, it is probably as old as we are. Imagine all the hand-me-downs you own that circulate through generations of your family or your mother or grandmother’s saree that you got stitched into something else more contemporary or suitable for your taste.
With the conversation around textiles and the pollution they cause gaining more momentum, many people are slowly turning away from fast-fashion brands and are opting for more sustainable options. In response, many new-age brands have sprung up and are acing repurposing textiles to create fits that will not only refresh your wardrobe but are also good for the environment. Here is our pick of 5 homegrown labels that are repurposing textiles.
Started as a way to reduce textile waste, Bisou by Sachi has quickly become a favourite among Instagram clothing labels. With unique designs that can be told apart from others, they are at the forefront of new-gen brands that marry sustainability and vibrant aesthetics seamlessly. Among their collections, the upcycled pants and shirts have become the most famous and are made by stitching together discarded fabrics. Since they are made from waste throwaway fabrics, each design is unique and you get a piece that only you own.
Catching us as a familiar favourite with young shoppers all across the country, Doodlage focuses on the idea that longevity is key for a greener wardrobe. A fine range of shirts, trench coats, dresses, and much more mark the label’s collection. It’s an environmentally conscious brand creating seasonless, well-finished garments out of factory waste and post-cutting scraps.
A young, vibrant and playful brand, Lazy Lemons Studios has a retro, fun and colourful vibe to them. A clothing and accessories brand, they create dreamy jewellery that is lovingly handcrafted in recycled brass and clothing made from repurposed textiles. There is a sort of summery-spring joy and timelessness to their products that we just can’t get over and think you should definitely be checking out too. Don’t believe just us; even hip-hop superstar Rajakumari wears their shirts.
A firm believer in mending pre-existing things by oneself to reclaim all belongings and a community that strongly revolts against mass production is The Rover Journal, founded by Payal Verma, a fashion design graduate. At the core of their endeavour lies the use of post-consumer waste as raw material so as to force materials into a persistent journey of reusability.
Tagging themselves to be a lifestyle brand that curates mindful experiences for their customers, they try to ensure zero waste practices. The label was started as a response to the accelerated growth of consumerism and overconsumption of clothing that puts a strain on resources, envisioning a potential in developing methods and processes that create valuable fashion supply chains that don’t burden the environment and also exist in total transparency with their customers, they started a slow and circular fashion sustainable brand with a retro feel and aesthetic.
Whilst painterly textiles and accessories are now commonplace, it is not often that one spots an amalgamation of repurposed fabrics and a mélange of artistic designs. Rejecting the universe of machine-printed fashion is Vicri, a homegrown label rejoicing in the beauty of masterful strokes and delicate designs on thrifted or repurposed garments.
With Victor’s minimalist taste and Rishi’s maximalist approach, the duo opts for a tasteful approach to designing, one that breathes a new life into repurposed garments imbibing them with the magic of storytelling and distinct style of hand-painted motifs.
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