Fashion Central

Five Eco-friendly Buys

Purchasing eco-friendly products can make a difference in our world. So Jasmeen Dugal scoured the market for sustainable and chic clothing, skincare and bath products to add a touch of green to your wardrobe.

Samant Chauhan
Samant Chauhan joined the green movement with his spring 2008 collection made using raw Bhagalpur silk, linen and cotton-linen blends; the golden yarns were made of silk wastes that he further hand-knitted for a spectacular effect. Today he has made 'non-violent silk'a way of life. 'Silkworms are killed while producing silk. This can be done away with easily. I want to condemn such an inhumane practice. The silk used for my collections have been hand woven and made from an eco-friendly process without the use of any dyes,' he said. If this isn't reason enough to vote for Samant Chauhan, his contemporary design aesthetic will do the needful.
Samant Chauhan, 421-A Shahpur Jat, Haus Khas, New Delhi. Tel: 41841509

'Grassroots' by Anita Dongre
Grassroots by Anita Dongre was the first organic line in the country. Inspired by the process of making vegetable dyes without wastage during a trip to Samanthwadi in Goa, Anita Dongre whipped up a chic collection of dresses, blouses, skirts and jackets in organic cotton—in just 30 days! Her price range begins at Rs. 4,000 upward but the designer explains, 'Organic cotton is a bit more expensive than conventional cotton as the yield per acre is lesser... but it has anti-bacterial properties and is cooler than cotton in warm climes.'
Grassroots, DLF Place, Saket, Delhi; Palladium, High Street Phoenix, Lower Parel, Mumbai.

'Green'by Lecoanet Hemant
Once upon a time we knew a duo who made uptown-chic dresses for the young, spirited A-list. Of late, Lecoanet Hemant seems to have been trying on a different aesthetic hat: eco-friendly fashion. Their collection titled 'Green' has many stylish pieces, among them silk chiffon textured jackets, organic cut-out apron tops with panelled shorts, silk faille pleated dresses with a mesh neckline, and a mesh sequined skirt. The fabric line-up is organic i.e. cotton, poplin, khadi and handloom silk embellished with camouflage motifs of bamboo and frangipani leaves. Glimpses of the duo's original direction are present too such as chiffon plisse evening gowns—a reminder of what this industry darling can do.


Stella McCartney
Vegan fashion is synonymous with Stella McCartney. All of her clothes are animal-free, including a line of shoes that forego PVC-based plastics in favour of materials derived from plants. Examining her autumn 2010 collection, we like the sheer organza overlays draped on a one-shoulder iridescent paillette dress and a nude bustier embroidered with burgundy roses.
Stella McCartney, UB Mall, Vittal Mallya Road, Bengaluru

LUSH Natural Cosmetics
Lush believes in making bath, shower, hair and skincare products from organic fruits and vegetables. Go for conditioning soapCreamed Coconut and Almond Smoothie. You will smell of jasmine, vanilla, ylang ylang and labdanum natural essential oils, so there's no need to waste time spraying on perfume. [Rs. 830] or try the Brazened Honey Mask, which contains a blend of fruit juice, Ayurveda herbs and spices. With almonds to polish and moisturizing honey, this blend will leaves your skin vibrant and reinvigorated