World Environment Day 2026: Why India's traditional crafts hold the key to sustainable fashion, according to experts

As the world marks World Environment Day, fashion's sustainability challenge is once again under the spotlight. While brands increasingly promote circularity, conscious consumption and responsible production, many industry experts believe the answers may already exist within India's centuries-old textile traditions.

Exclusively speaking to Firstpost, Hema Singh Rance, Director Arts India at the British Council; Anmol Singh, founder and designer of Banjara Trail; Jigar Shah, founder of Jigar and Nikita; and Aishwarya Vyas, founder of Phutara Vastra, argue that practices such as handloom weaving, natural dyeing, repair, reuse and fabric repurposing offer valuable lessons for an industry grappling with waste, overproduction and environmental degradation.

Their message is clear: sustainability is not simply about new technologies or innovative materials. It is also about rediscovering systems of production and consumption that prioritise longevity, craftsmanship and respect for resources.

The wisdom hidden in traditional textiles

According to Hema Singh Rance, Director Arts India at the British Council, many principles now associated with sustainable fashion have existed within India's textile traditions for generations.

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"Slower production, mindful use of materials, natural processes, repair, reuse and durability have all been part of India's craft and textile heritage," she says.

What makes these traditions particularly relevant today, she argues, is that they go beyond techniques. They reflect an understanding of how materials, climate, local ecosystems, artisans and communities are interconnected.

"A handwoven textile or naturally dyed fabric carries knowledge of climate, resource use, labour and cultural memory," Rance explains.

Why repair and reuse deserve a comeback

One of the strongest themes emerging across the industry is the need to extend the life of clothing.

For generations, Indian families treated textiles as valuable resources rather than disposable products. A garment could be altered, repaired, handed down, transformed into household items or repurposed into something entirely new.

Rance believes this approach could significantly reduce fashion's environmental footprint if adopted more widely.

The same sentiment is echoed by designers and entrepreneurs working in the sustainable fashion space today. Anmol Singh, founder and designer of Banjara Trail, points to fabric repurposing and patchwork as practices that deserve greater attention.

"The fashion industry generates enormous amounts of textile waste," she says. "Traditional patchwork techniques transform leftover fabrics into entirely new products, extending the lifecycle of materials and reducing waste."

What went wrong?

If these practices were so effective, why did they disappear? The answer, according to experts, lies in the rise of fast fashion. As mass production expanded, clothing became cheaper, trends moved faster and newness increasingly became associated with aspiration. Repairing or reusing garments gradually lost social value.

Rance notes that industrialisation also created distance between the maker, the material and the consumer, changing how people perceived the worth of clothing.

Today, however, the environmental consequences of that model are becoming impossible to ignore. "We are turning back to these methods because the environmental cost of the current system is now difficult to overlook," she says.

Can sustainable fashion be affordable?

One of the biggest criticisms of sustainable fashion is that it is often perceived as expensive. Designers argue that this perception stems from viewing clothing only through the lens of upfront cost.

Jigar Shah, founder of fashion label Jigar and Nikita, believes consumers need to focus on long-term value rather than short-term pricing.

"When consumers buy fewer, better-quality pieces, it becomes more affordable in the long run," he says.

Aishwarya Vyas, founder of Phutara Vastra, agrees.

"Traditional textiles and handcrafted garments are created to last, be re-worn and remain relevant across generations. When seen as an investment rather than an expense, quality craftsmanship offers far greater value," she adds.

Looking beyond green marketing

As sustainability becomes a powerful marketing tool, experts also warn against taking environmental claims at face value. Consumers should look for transparency around sourcing, production methods, waste reduction efforts and support for artisan communities rather than relying solely on labels and promotional campaigns.

"Transparency and accountability are often stronger indicators than sustainability claims alone," says Singh.

For Shah, genuine sustainability comes down to evidence rather than messaging. "If it's only a claim without proof, it's usually just marketing," he says.

Supporting the communities behind the craft

Experts also caution against celebrating heritage crafts without adequately supporting the people who sustain them. Traditional knowledge systems, Rance argues, should not be viewed solely as cultural heritage but as practical, evolving solutions that can contribute to climate resilience.

However, meaningful sustainability requires ensuring that artisans receive recognition, investment and opportunities to shape the future of their own crafts. "The future cannot be built by extracting from tradition," she says. "It has to be shaped through respectful collaboration."

The future is not about going backwards

For Rance, Singh, Shah and Vyas, the future of sustainable fashion does not lie in choosing between tradition and innovation. Instead, it lies in bringing the two together.

Whether through circular textile systems, natural dyes, handcraft techniques or waste-conscious design, traditional knowledge continues to offer solutions to some of fashion's most pressing environmental challenges.

From regenerative cotton and circular khadi initiatives to natural dyes and repair-led business models, new collaborations are already exploring how centuries-old wisdom can address contemporary environmental challenges.

This World Environment Day, their collective message is a reminder that sustainability is not always about inventing something new. Sometimes, it is about recognising the value of practices that communities have preserved for generations, and ensuring that the artisans behind them remain at the centre of the conversation.