Indie fashion brands are redefining sustainability by upcycling waste materials into stylish clothing and accessories. From Doodlage's patchwork designs to reCharkha's plastic-to-fabric innovation, these brands are reducing environmental harm while promoting eco-friendly fashion. With unique offerings like saree-repurposed outfits by Laturia Shop and biodegradable clothing by Oziss, they inspire a shift towards conscious consumerism.
Our Instagram feeds, marketplaces and local markets are filled with fast fashion brands that use cheap-quality fabrics like polyester, nylon, rayon and other synthetics for their clothing pieces. Since these fabrics are mainly made out of plastic, they feel uncomfortable to the skin and harm the environment massively. They are non-biodegradable and keep reaching the mounting landfills.
However, several homegrown brands are working towards a slow and sustainable fashion approach, where they upcycle old fabrics and turn them into well-tailored clothing pieces and accessories. If you too are planning to build a wardrobe that consists of sustainable and eco-friendly clothing, then do check out these Indie fashion brands that are making the best out of waste.
Doodlage is a one-of-a-kind fashion brand that collects post-production fabric waste from factories and turns it into beautifully crafted clothing pieces, including dresses, tops, bottoms, accessories, and more. Since the brand is based in Delhi, 60% of its fabrics are acquired from local traders and manufacturing units based in and around the capital region and Jaipur, ensuring lower carbon emissions. Doodlage gives new life to rejected cloth pieces with patchworks, bold prints, intricate embroideries, and natural dyes.
Think shirts made out of a vibrant leheriya saree or a mini skirt carved out of your mom's early 90s saree; well, this is what the Laturia Shop is about. Based in Jaipur, Mihika Meena of the brand repurposes old sarees, forgotten fabrics and thrifted denims into contemporary clothing pieces. From bomber jackets, sheer shirts, mini skirts, midi skirts, to pants, the brand has done it all.
reCharkha – The Ecosocial Tribe isn't your usual brand making tote bags, daily essentials, accessories and planters; they work towards making Earth a better place. The enterprise collects discarded plastic, including wrappers, household waste, and grocery bags and then employs local women from nearby villages to get them cleaned, sorted and segregated. These women and skilled artisans then convert this plastic waste into a fabric-like sheet using a spindle, later turning it into well-crafted practical pieces. reCharkha is not only promoting sustainable fashion but also empowering women and youth.
Dwij is a slow fashion brand that upcycles post-industrial denim and other clothes, preventing them from going into landfills. These clothes are first cleaned thoroughly using industrial washers, which makes them as hygienic as new. Since Dwij's products are tailor-made and not mass-produced, they are cut separately for each piece. These fabrics are then turned into beautiful bags, daily essentials, fashion accessories, jewellery pieces and much more.
In a world where the fashion industry is being dominated by plenty of fast fashion brands, Oziss is like a breath of fresh air. About climate-positive clothing—as they call it—the brand works towards building clothes in a way that is biodegradable, has a carbon-negative footprint and incorporates safe microfibers. They also use water-based inks that are said to be free from toxic and harmful chemicals. And let's not forget their packaging, made from recycled kraft paper, which is biodegradable and compostable.