Since its inception, the GenNext programme at the Lakmé Fashion Week has identified new talent, provided young designers with a nurturing platform and turned them into stars of the design industry. With a bigger conversation on slow fashion and sustainability taking over the fashion industry, LFW 2020 is celebrating ‘Sustainable Fashion Day’ on both day one and two, and the GenNext winners will be showcasing a completely sustainable collection on day one.
Ahead of their showcase, we caught up with the three GenNext designers who are displaying their collections at LFW 2020, and learned more about their environmentally conscious collections.
The Loom Art by Aarushi Kilawat
As a label (as the name suggests) that stands for the designer’s love for handloom and admiration for art, The Loom Art focuses on reviving authentic craft, embroidery and weaving techniques, in a world dominated by fast fashion. Incorporating self-narrative embellishment techniques like Kantha and Sujani into the collection, designer Aarushi Kilawat says, “Storytelling is an important part of our brand’s identity. Through my designs, I want to narrate stories about crafts & techniques that are dying and unknown and create garments that aren’t just a part of people’s wardrobe, but a part of their lives, emotions & values.” The central technique used in the collection is Arashi Shibori as a base for every fabric, with cool-toned ensembles ranging from silhouettes of boxy shirts to layered dresses, handcrafted from handwoven cotton silk, chanderi silk and matka silk. Swipe through for a preview of the designer’s showcase at LFW 2020:
Mishé by Bhumika and Minakshi Ahluwalia
One of the cornerstones of sustainable fashion is upcycling, and that’s exactly what Mishé—created by Bhumika Ahluwalia and her mother, Minakshi Ahluwalia—accomplishes by using leftover fabric in its garments, details and accessories. But that’s not all; the brand’s collection, Shuwa, also places an emphasis on its zero-waste ideology. “We use zero-waste pattern-making techniques to make our garments. A few of our designs are created in a way where no cutting of the fabric is required, creating no waste at all,” shares Bhumika, who is the brand’s creative head. The collection showcases neutral tones enriched with cord fabrication and thread embroidery and also uses orange peel fabric, banana fabric and recycled cotton for the ensembles. Swipe through for a preview of the designer duo’s showcase at LFW 2020:
Dhātu Design Studio by Anmol Sharma
The collection Dress to Reform by Dhātu Design Studio not only features fashionable menswear, but also purpose-driven clothing. With the use of fabrics like handloom Ahimsa silk, pure hemp and natural indigo-dyed handloom denim, along with locally sourced material, the clothing from the collection is recyclable, compost friendly, and biodegradable. “Quite simply taking from the earth and putting it back there, purpose-driven fashion reduces the impact on the environment. I have taken into account the entire lifecycle of the product, starting from the fabric development stage to the end of use,” says designer Anmol Sharma, adding that the fabric selection is based on social and cultural value to provide empowerment and a livelihood to the traditional weavers. The collection also features designs that have protective technical silhouettes and khaki tones, and is perfect for streetwear or light occasion-wear. Swipe through for a glimpse of the designer’s upcoming showcase at LFW 2020:
