The Textile and Apparel Industry in India is the 2^nd largest employer in the country and contributes to a substantial part of our economy. The Textile Industry provides employment to around 45 million people directly and around 100 million people in allied industries. The fashion industry in India is poised to grow into a $106 billion industry by 2026.

In today’s date, Fast Fashion comes at an astonishing and alarming cost. The environmental impacts of the fashion industry in terms of water consumption, water contamination / pollution, carbon emissions etc are on the rise and there is an evident requirement of shift in fashion trend to sustainable fashion. Sustainable fashion as a term defines products, processes, activities and factors aiming to achieve carbon neutral fashion industry, social justice as well as ecological integrity. Sustainable apparel or accessories are generally derived from eco-friendly resources such as sustainably grown fibre crops or recycled materials.

While the fashion industry is booming, there is a need to bring in effective attention towards the negative impacts it brings along. Hence, the environmental as well as the social cost of the fashion industry drives us to rethink fast fashion and stresses upon the need for more sustainable business models and practices.

In this context, World Trade Center Bhubaneswar collaborated with Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department, Government of Odisha, Boyanika, EDII Bhubaneswar, HSBC, The DN Wisdom Tree Global School, The DN Homes, Indian Oil & ACE Commercial Pvt Ltd to organize a two-day program titled “We For Weavers-Promoting Sustainable Fashion” on 9 December, 2022 & 10 December, 2022 at the premises of Kalabhoomi, Odisha Crafts Museum, Bhubaneswar. The objective of the program was to create a positive linkage with a motto to promote handloom for better outreach and also provide opportunity for the weavers to come forward to a greater platform which would not only enhance the visibility of their products but also help them gain confidence, belief and take pride in their profession.

His Excellency, Prof. Ganeshi Lal, Honourable Governor of Odisha graced the occasion as Chief Guest and inaugurated the program. He encouraged the local designers, weavers, artisans and the department of textile in Odisha to work in collaboration to promote Odisha Handloom in global market. “Odisha handloom is as old as ancient ages and is inspiringly driven by nature. The whole process abides with spirituality. Handloom which is pride of Odisha is reflected in states tradition, lifestyle, livelihood and character. To further strengthen this and to promote Odisha’s handloom products at international level, planning should have been done at different stages. Corporate sector should come forward to promote these products and use it in their dress codes”, he added. Nine weavers from various regions of the state got felicitated by His Excellency and other esteemed guests for their exemplary contribution to the handloom sector.

The first day of this two-day program witnessed an Interactive Session with the weaver community where they shared their challenges/bottlenecks with the esteemed set of panelists relevant to the sector as an effort to design a roadmap of the way forward for providing effective handholding support.

The session was followed by “Walk For Weavers” where esteemed dignitaries and eminent personalities from various segments of the society walked few steps with the weavers wearing Odisha Handloom to promote and encourage the weaver community.

An exclusive Fashion Show was organized by the renowned Fashion Designers of the State who are working on creating sustainable outfits through fusion wear. Models walked the ramp wearing dazzling range of attires from designers.

Exclusive collection of weavers from various handloom clusters was also showcased in the program in a purview to promote local weaves and weavers/artisans of the state.

Second day of the program commenced with a conference on Sustainable Fashion with the relevant stakeholders on the rising opportunities.