As many as 16 clothing brands took a pledge to create sustainable fashion at the unveiling of Project SU.RE on the sidelines of the Lakme Fashion Week on Thursday night.
SU.RE, or Sustainable Resolution, saw CEOs of 16 major brands across the country signing a charter of sustainability, initiating India’s commitment towards sustainable and environment-friendly fashion.
“As a proud Indian, I stand here today to witness history. The fact that this movement by Lakme Fashion Week, IMG Reliance and CMAI (Clothing Manufacturers Association of India) was initiated voluntarily, makes me proud. On October 2, we will be entering the 150th year of celebrating the birth of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi’s message: ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world,’ has been reflected in this initiative,” Union Minister of Textiles Smriti Irani said.
The minister said SU.RE brought together 16 textile retail giants voluntarily acknowledging their responsibility towards the environment and making a commitment to encourage, promote, and practise sustainable fashion.
“As part of SU.RE, industry will not only develop an understanding of the environmental impact but will also devise a sustainable sourcing policy for raw materials that are environment-friendly,” Ms. Irani said. The brands’ resolution aims to utilise a significant percentage of eco-friendly and sustainable raw materials in their consumption by 2025.
CMAI president Rahul Mehta said the industry accepted its responsibility in transforming the fashion industry, and playing a more conscious role in tomorrow’s world of fashion. “We are proud to take the lead in this endeavour, with support from the UN and the Ministry of Textiles,” he said.
Renata Lok-Dessalien, resident coordinator of the United Nations in India, termed SU.RE a ‘very special initiative’. “The sustainable development goals need the fashion industry, and the fashion industry equally needs sustainable development, as its carbon footprint in the world is enormous,” she said.
Signatories to the charter included some of India’s major clothing retail brands like the House of Anita Dongre, Fashion Big Bazar, Reliance Trends and Max.
