By – Eshanvi Grover, Student-designer and sustainability enthusiast from New Delhi.
The Fabric of ChangeBehind the sparkle of runways and red carpets lies a shadow few talk about — over 92 million tonnes of clothing waste dumped annually, and up to 45 billion garments produced each year, many of which never find a wearer. The question isn’t whether fashion is broken — it’s whether we’re brave enough to fix it.
As a teen designer, I’ve chosen to stitch my creativity into a new narrative: one where style and sustainability walk the runway together.
Fast Fashion’s Fallout: The Truth in Your ClosetWe live in a world where clothes are cheaper, trends move faster, and the cycle of buy-wear-dispose feels endless. But that ‘₹499 top’ often hides the real cost: polluted rivers, underpaid workers, and overflowing landfills.
If fashion is supposed to reflect culture, why are we okay with waste?
Reworking the Rules: Style That EvolvesMy journey began when I looked at my own closet — clothes worn twice, trends I no longer liked, and a pile of “nothing to wear.”
That’s when I discovered upcycling. A satin dress became a hybrid kurti. A mesh top turned into two beanies. Slowly, fashion felt less like consumption and more like creation.
Today, my designs focus on:
Multi-use garments — Outfits that morph from dress to top to wrap.
Breathable, eco-friendly fabrics — Like hemp and upcycled cotton.
Timeless silhouettes — Because sustainability is the opposite of fast.
Teens & Moms: The Overlooked AudienceFrom school runs to sleepovers, our lives move fast. But most clothes aren’t built for flexibility. Sustainable fashion fills that gap — with clothes that are comfortable, durable, and adaptable.
Imagine: one outfit that serves three occasions, made of skin-friendly fabric, and designed to last years, not months.
5 Tips to Start Your Sustainable Wardrobe
- Repeat is chic — Rewear your favorites. Restyling is the new cool.
- Swap parties > shopping hauls — Host monthly exchanges with friends.
- Label check — Look for natural or recycled fabrics before buying.
- Tailor, don’t toss — A small stitch can save a garment.
- Support small, ethical brands — They often produce with purpose.
Why This Isn’t Just a Teen TrendFrom Paris to Delhi, the future of fashion is circular. Major fashion houses now explore zero-waste design. Schools teach sustainability as a core course, not an afterthought.
This isn’t a phase. It’s a movement — and Gen Z is leading it.
My Mission: Less Waste, More WowMy goal is to launch a line of transformable clothing — fashion that moves with you, fits different body types, and lives longer than one season.
Because the best kind of fashion doesn’t just look good — it does good.
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