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Fashion For a Cause: It’s Our Turn to Lead

Sasha Fair Trade and Earth Day Network-India commemorated Earth Day Every Day with a fashion show featuring upcycled and organic clothing and educational talks on green issues on May 9. The colorful and inspiring show took place in Kolkata, India to celebrate sustainability and inform audiences on the environmental benefits of organic cotton.

Sasha Fair Trade is an NGO that works with women’s groups that upcycle old saris with Kantha, a traditional embroidery pattern, then tailor the cloth into chic jackets. Upasana, a studio focusing on socially responsible design, uses fashion for change throughout the production and design process. Both of these organizations impact the lives of farmers, weavers, dyers and countless families through their work in the area of textiles. Friends and supporters of Earth Day Network modeled the organic cotton clothing with choreography by Shubha Kenworthy.

Support of organic cotton is only one of the many actions that can be taken to preserve the environment. Cotton is one of the thirstiest crops in the world, accounting for 2.6% of the global water footprint. Organic cotton reduces the need for water consumption because it is normally rain-fed, rather than irrigated, and is grown without the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers.

Making conscious consumer choices was a theme emulated throughout the evening. Chef Shaun Kenworthy talked about eating organic and local foods. Volunteer Khushi Khanna and Earth Day Network India Director Karuna Singh both presented accounts on upcycling from the EDN e-Book Pathways to Green Cities-Innovative Ideas from Urban India Volume II.

Encouraging the audience to be agents of change in their community, It’s Our Turn to Lead Fashion Show opens the door for organic and natural products to popularize the consumer market. Through education, Earth Day Network- India brings sustainability to fashion!

See all the pictures here.