Page 33 - Cosmopolitan India (January 2020)

ANITA DONGRE ANITA DONGRE

factory that made school bags.
Unless fashion cleans up its act, it’ll be
responsible for ending life on Earth as we L
know it. As Greta Thunberg said, ‘We
already have all the facts and solutions. All RAJESH PRATAP SIUNGHL
we have to do is wake up and change.’ And
so, sustainability has become the new
buzzword—be it Gucci or Gap, they’re all
taking steps to be responsible for the impact
fashion has on everything around us.

THE NEW MATERIAL WORLD
It’s now time to be an informed shopper.
Being ‘materialistic’ today has a new,
positive meaning. And it’s not as simple as AMIT AGGARWAL
PÉRO BY ANEETH ARORA Take conventional cotton as an example. It AMIT AGGARWAL
just choosing natural fabrics over synthetic.

takes 20,000 gallons of water to make a
single pair of denim cotton jeans, and up to
3,000 to make a T-shirt. Plus, this thirsty
plant requires a high level of pesticides
(which contain toxins) to grow. Cotton is an
enemy of environment. Leather and fur are
a complete no-no, find other ways to keep SPEND SMART websites when bored.
warm. When it comes to silk, too, we’re Yes, these pieces are more expensive. And ask yourself these questions:
hearing of many ethical issues: there’s a But we need to spend on ‘good ‘Will I wear it at least 30 times?’, ‘Is it
human cost, as some silk producers don’t fashion’. Balance it out by buying less, filling a gap in my wardrobe?’, ‘Does it
pay fair wages; there are child labour issues but buying well...be a smart shopper. work with the other pieces I own?’.
as well. Which is why you need to ask the You need to stay updated. Google Remember, evening pieces are meant
question: ‘Who made my clothes?’. labels when in doubt (just make sure to be special buys—if you know you’re
Often, man-made materials, referred to it’s a reliable source). Instead of only going to wear it once, look at
as futuristic fabrics, are better options. following brands and influencers that renting it, instead. For statement
They are made from cellulose (which is make you want to shop, choose accessories, pre-loved is an option that’s
plant-derived, hence, biodegradable), or websites and women who look at better, both on your wallet and the
recycled (that follow the reuse-and- fashion through a mindful eye. environment. And that’s what ‘good
repurpose mantra). Tencel and Econyl are No-one is telling you to stop being a fashion’ is all about today. It’s about
great examples, and labels such as Tibi and fashion girl, it’s just being a being a conscious consumer and still
Anita Dongre, among others, are using responsible fashion girl. being on-trend. And the added
these fabrics. benefits are that, in the long run, you’ll
BUY SOMETHING WHEN have a more stylish wardrobe and will
YOU LOVE IT be spending money wisely.” n
Just because a garment is ethical or
sustainable doesn’t mean you should Worldwide protests
buy it. When you love something, you’ll against Fast Fashion, due
want to repeat it. As I often say, it’s chic to the dangers it poses,
are now quite common
to repeat. Did you know that, by
extending the lifespan of your clothes
by just nine extra months of active use,
you’d be reducing carbon, water, and
waste footprints by around 20%-30%
each? Only shop when you feel good—
you tend to shop less when you’re in a
positive frame of mind, which is why
you should never shop in your sweats
Nicobar is one of the homegrown and no make-up, or check out e-tail
brands that uses sustainable
materials like Cupro and
Modal to make products