Sustainable Textile Traditions Lecture Notes

Jul 27, 2024

Notes on Sustainable Textile Traditions Dialogue

Introduction

  • The event is a virtual dialogue focused on sustainable textile traditions in India.
  • Organized by the Center for Environment Education (CEE) in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
  • CEE established in 1984 as a center of excellence in environment education.
  • Discussing the documentation of Indian textile traditions, focusing on handloom practices spanning from North-West to South-East India.

Key Points from Presentations

Atul Bhagai (Country Head, UNEP India)

  • Highlights the significance of sustainable fashion in global climate negotiations.
  • LIFE Program: Launched by the Prime Minister to educate consumers about sustainability; textiles are one of six verticals in this program.
  • Emphasis on the need for broader industry and policy support to facilitate a transition towards sustainable fashion.
  • UNEP's work includes projects in Odisha focused on developing a circular economy strategy.

Juhi Pandey (Designer and Social Activist)

  • Advocates for understanding the back end of the textile value chain to ensure sustainability.
  • Stresses the importance of connecting farmers, pastoralists, and weavers in the ecosystem.
  • Calls for a focus on natural materials and sustainable practices to maintain handloom traditions.
  • Highlights innovative design interventions that can lead to socio-economic transformation.

Pavitra Bhushan (Designer, Vimor)

  • Focuses on the importance of ensuring livelihoods for artisans through sustainable practices.
  • Emphasizes using local materials and resources while maintaining heritage craftsmanship.
  • Discusses the importance of design learning and mentorship in creating marketable products.

Ritu Sethi (Founder, Craft Revival Trust)

  • Discusses the evaluation of craft viability and the need for mapping endangered crafts.
  • Explains the framework for assessing the health and viability of textile crafts, emphasizing community involvement in safeguarding practices.
  • Points towards urgent needs for post-COVID recovery strategies and monitoring the sustainability of crafts.

Payal Jain (Fashion Designer)

  • Connects sustainability with fashion design from the beginning of the design process.
  • Highlights circular design concepts, such as recycling and reusing fabrics in new ways.
  • Discusses the ethical implications of consumer choices and the importance of educating consumers about sustainable practices.

Prof. Ashok Chatterjee (Textile Sector Authority)

  • Reviews the discussions, stressing the importance of integrating sustainability into traditional practices.
  • Mentions that consumer preferences will dictate the viability of sustainable textile practices.
  • Advocates for data collection on handmade crafts to further support the sector's growth and advocacy efforts.

Final Remarks

  • Several panelists emphasized the necessity of collaboration between designers, artisans, and governmental support for sustainable textile practices.
  • Discussion about forming educational frameworks to teach sustainability in textile design from early stages.
  • The importance of marketing sustainable textiles effectively to grow consumer interest.

Questions Raised

  • Discussion about reviving local breeds and tribal crafts can improve climate resilience and sustainability.
  • Need for joint forums between synthetic and natural textile sectors to improve understanding and collaboration.

Conclusion

  • Acknowledgement of the need for continuous documentation and the importance of awareness on sustainable practices in textiles.
  • The meeting underscored the potential for rich co-learning experiences across sectors and disciplines involving traditional textiles.