Having spent a significant part of their childhoods with nature, using their hands for farming or creating handicrafts while learning to connect with and protect the flora around them, these designers working in and inspired by South India have imbibed a holistically sustainable lifestyle. It has seeped into their work and designs and is, today, intrinsic to the style philosophies and actual practices of their labels. “When you create a jacket using ikat or jamdani, there is a whole lot that’s left over after you have achieved your pattern. The leftovers excite me. So, our wastage as a production unit has always been moderate.” -Raj Shroff, Ravage by Raj Shroff; Bengaluru “As old techniques die out, owning them will become a luxury, which will further become the couture of fashion.” -Anupriya Biyani Dalmiya, Aeka; Bengaluru “Natural fabric making is a lengthy process. It starts from planting a seed, and eventually it will take you on a very beautiful journey.” -Gowri Shankar, Faborg; Puducherry 1: Azo-free pigmented swimwear with block printing with plastic waste, from @lal_design_studio; vegan wool fabrics, from @faborg.in 2: Handwoven, hand-embroidered with applique technique cotton shirt and textile art, both from @kalkico 3: Eco-printed sari with locally found leaves dyed with Indian madder, from @aeka_by_anupriya 4: Block dress, made from a single block of fabric using zero-waste pattern-cutting technique and thread silk painting on handloom mulberry silk organza with eri silk lining, from @p.e.l.l.a 5: Textured jersey jacket with special cord-edged finishing brushed with inprint paste, from @rajshroffravaged 6: Handwoven and hand-embroidered shirt, from @kalkico 7: Stem fibres of vegan wool, from @faborg.in; Hand-woven and hand-embroidered shirt, from @kalkico; Hand-woven jacket using honeycomb technique finished with azo-free dyeing, by @_naushadali_ 8: Hand-blocked textile art, from @eachaneridesigns 9: Tissue sari with hand-embroidered floral motif, from @roukabysreejithjeevan More at the link in bio. Text: Shirin Mehta Interviews and styling: @pandey.akanksha Photographs: @carlmeer __ #HeritageFashion #SustainableBrand #IndianCouture