On Our Radar: 4 Indian Brands Redefining Sustainable Design

As our lived realities of climate change become impossible to ignore, the choices we make as consumers — what we wear, how we live, and whom we support — have never mattered more. The fashion and design industries, long criticised for their extractive systems and environmental toll, are now at a turning point. The future lies in practices that honour both craft and conscience, innovation and empathy.

Across India, a new generation of creators is showing what that future can look like. Instead of chasing trends, they are reimagining waste as raw material, reviving endangered handloom traditions, and crafting products that last. Their work is rooted in circularity — a belief that every object, like every ecosystem, should regenerate rather than deplete.

From recycled chips packets transformed into sunglasses to luxury handbags made from fish leather, these labels are not only rewriting the story of sustainable design, but also challenging us to rethink our own habits of consumption. Because in the face of a changing planet, choosing ethically made, sustainable alternatives is no longer an option — it’s a responsibility.

Without is an innovative material science company rethinking waste, poverty, and business. It ethically recycles “unrecyclable” waste — such as chip packets and textile scraps — into high-quality, scalable materials and products, while providing waste-pickers with dignified, better-paying jobs. By merging technology with social impact, Without has established India’s first demonstration plant that can ethically recycle all post-consumer plastics and textiles without resorting to burning or greenwashing. From the world’s first recycled sunglasses made from chips packets to planet-positive polymers, Without is redefining sustainability and showing that waste can have value and capitalism does not need to exploit.

Ecoline is a cutting-edge homegrown fashion brand that redefines sustainability by focusing on innovation and inclusivity. Its goal is to make eco-friendly fashion accessible to everyone, turning discarded PET bottles into fashionable, environmentally conscious clothing — helping to conserve water and minimise waste. Combining affordability with modern design, Ecoline contests the idea that sustainable fashion is a luxury.

MAYU — a sustainable luxury brand founded by Mayura Davda Shah — is inspired by Nordic upcycling of fish leather from her Iceland visit. Its Japanese name reflects softness and excellence, symbolising mindful craftsmanship and timeless design. The brand offers elegant, ethically made accessories that redefine luxury in a changing world.

Naeth is a contemporary Indian brand based in Kerala that combines sustainability, innovation, and tradition in its designs. Focused on ethical sourcing, Naeth reimagines heritage and waste — reviving Kerala’s fading Balaramapuram handloom traditions and developing new textiles from recycled PET bottles and bamboo fibres. Each project connects history with the future, blending craft and science to define responsible fashion. By turning cultural heritage and industrial waste into durable, wearable items, Naeth promotes a circular design philosophy — where each thread symbolises renewal, resilience, and respect for both people and the environment.

If you enjoyed reading this, here’s more from Homegrown:

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