Concern for the environment is now positively penetrating into every aspect of our lives and not merely limited to research and development efforts to tackle vehicular pollution, industrial contamination and climate change. Understanding the need of the hour, the fashion fraternity has also started thinking on the lines of designing green wardrobes. The concern was reflected in a workshop organised during the Environment and Wildlife Film Festival.

Jaya Jaitely, patron of arts and crafts, said, “Due to constant change in fashion and increased exposure to international brands, it has become difficult for the poor strata to update themselves on the latest trends. Instead of blindly adopting western fashion, India sh­ould rather present its art to the world and make its art fashionable there.”

The Indian fashion ind­ustry, which in recent ye­ars has received international recognition, can contribute to building environmental awareness among the people and offer solutions that can set a new trend for fashion-conscious people as well as the common man, she added.

Some designers felt initiatives like extracting and using only natural fibre to create new designs should be implemented. It is better for the planet, growers and consumers. “Fibre, which the Americans believe to ha­ve originated fr­om a town in Scotland, is actually extracted from a plant called phumbis grown in Manipur. Local people make very

fine quality fibres from this plant and, in a way, it also provides employment opportunities to people,” Jaitley said.

Highlighting that India was the only country with the original craftsmen, Jaitely said, “We are not the ones who need to catch up with the world. Instead, we can offer arts, craft and hand­loom to rest of the world.”

Ethics, after all, are a rage with fashion designers. Designers should take environmental and health concerns of consumers into account while also trying to be affordable and extensively replicable. Fashion designer Ritu Kumar who comes with her green wardrobe every season says, “We should patronise our local craftsmen and collectively say no to synthetic and man-made clothes that pollute the environment. We should promote hand-made or natural fibres.”

Some designers felt the industry should make local craftsmen equal partners in the business. Jaitely said, “Local craftmens are full of talent. They help in procuring the fibre and are well versed in fashion related skills. By making them equal partners, they could be inspired to come out with the best designs and flaunt their work to the world. It will also help to double their creativity.”

Filmmaker Rita Banerjee’s movie, A Shawl to Die For, which was screened during the Environment and Wildlife Film festival, is based on the ancient craft of Shahtoosh weaving in Kashmir. An international ban on Shahtoosh was imposed to ensure the survival of the endangered Chiru, which was killed for its fleece. The step jeopardised the livelihood of thousands of people and spelt disaster for Shahtoosh workers in Kashmir. There was an open conflict between conservation efforts and its impact on the livelihood of thousands of workers. “The film documents an alternative livelihood project that helps to preserve the traditional skills of Shahtoosh craftsmen while helping them move away from Shahtoosh weaving to alternative sources of earning,” the filmmaker said.