The festive season is all about celebrating love and light in our lives. And with that, comes a much-awaited shopping spree. While buying something new should only bring happiness, here’s a way to shop in a way that brings happiness to many others and the planet just the same. Here are brands that give back to the community as well as to the environment in different ways and can be a great festive shopping stop for you!
Saphed
What’s better than some breathable linens on a busy festive day? Saphed’s linens are not only eco-friendly but also super-soft and easy to carry. In a first, the homegrown brand is launching its festive collecting using their super comfy fabric. Make sure you stay tuned for this festive drop, perfect for gifting as well as a chic festive outfit.
The Right Cut
Surat-based fashion brand The Right Cut will give you great festive fashion options made with handwoven Indian fabrics and a slow fashion model. The brand ethos revolves around a keen focus on handwoven Indian fabrics and a slow fashion model. Avoiding the unnecessary waste produced by excess production or stocking up of pieces, all customer orders are made-to-order. Striking just the right balance between modern and traditional, The Right Cut’s use of handwoven khadi, cotton chanderi, cotton mul in ethnic silhouettes can be just the perfect touch of modern Indian for your festive wardrobe!
Aulerth
Festive shopping more often than not involves jewellery, something that’s super tricky to find alternative sustainable options for. But when it comes to ethnic and Indo-western jewellery, Aulerth is all set to quench all your festive needs. With a wide range in collaborations with some fabulous Indian designers, all made from sustainable materials as well as renting and buyback options, this brand is perfect for all your festive jewellery companions!
Brown Living
One of the trickiest things to find alternatives for is probably festive gifting. Brown Living is here to solve all your gifting problems, especially with their conscious gifting section. From incense to home décor and fashion accessories, the section includes a whole selection of items you can gift that aren’t heavy on carbon footprints.
Phool
Not only has the brand been sustainable by creating incense products using flower waste from temples, but the brand also supports various women in the community by providing employment, and supporting their empowerment. The brand works with women to collect discarded flowers from temples and upcycle them. Phool has positively impacted more than 1000 women and more than 300 families through increased living standards and stable incomes. The brand is all set to launch its very own flower-based leather as well.
Jodi
While Jodi is known best for its vibrant prints and statement dresses, there’s a lot more that makes the brand special. Jodi also employs and supports a family of block printers from Rajasthan that specialises in the craft and has been working with the brand for years now. The brand openly promotes and appreciates its work, to make consumers aware of what goes into making their beautiful pieces.
Okhai
Okhai houses handcrafted products from artisans mainly from rural areas in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Unsurprisingly not only works with many artisans but also attempts to support their livelihoods. One of the brand’s main aims has been to encourage women from less privileged backgrounds to acquire new skills and become more independent. It makes sure artisans are earning a monthly income of at least ₹500 to ₹11,000 depending on the hours they work. Around 470 families have already been benefited from the support from Okhai and the brand plans to reach over 5,000 women through their efforts.
House Of Anita Dongre
One of the most prominent designers in the country, Anita Dongre, has ensured sustainability and consciousness to be an important part of the brand’s fabric. Through the Anita Dongre Foundation and its conscious brand Grassroots, the fashion house runs its Women Empowerment Initiative and Artisans First Initiative respectively. Through the two initiatives, the brand supports and empowers not only women but also artisans through their creations. The brand also makes it a point to use sustainable materials in its collections as well as make good of their factory waste.
Swara Vow
Swara Vow offers a range of quality handcrafted products, perfect for today’s Indian woman. The brand also employs women tailors with suitable remuneration and also helps train them to better their skills. It aims to empower the rural woman of India, even those in the most remote parts of the country through its work.