Bhubaneswar: More than coal power plants or pharmaceuticals, the adverse impact of fashion industry on environment is evident from the fact that the sector produces 10% of all humanity’s carbon emissions and is considered as the second largest polluter in the world only behind the oil industry. As craze for fashionable lifestyle continues to reach dizzying heights each passing day, it raises a plethora of questions as to how to find a sustainable middle ground.
Like opportunity amid crisis, Benorita Dash, a young fashion entrepreneur from Bhubaneswar, has come up with a sustainable solution to this fashion-pollution narrative. Scripting her success story as a ‘sustainable designer’ in the industry, she says that the first step lies in building awareness and willingness to change. Benorita is a true ambassador of AtmaNirbhar Bharat of PM Modi’s dream for India.
Sustainable fashion, also known as eco-fashion, is a part of the growing philosophy and trend of sustainability, the goal of which is to create a system without hurting the environment. Social responsibility is stressed upon in this ideal. Sustainable fashion concerns more than addressing fashion textiles or products and comprises addressing the whole system of fashion.
Benorita wishes to be an inspiration in creating an ethical and eco-friendly benchmark in the fashion industry. Her mantra of making people confident and comfortable in an ethical yet sustainable fashion is what makes her designs unique and eccentric.
Despite plying her trade for a reputed fashion agency in Mumbai, the young entrepreneur decided to quit her job in order to chase her passion. After returning to the state, she started exploring various dump yards to channelize her ideas of sustainable fashion. She also visited local tailors and collected leftover fabrics, which she believes is as precious as it can get until being utilised effectively and efficiently.
Coating Ikat plays a very important role in her brand LadyBen. Benorita follows a strict regimen to enhance the quality of her products. From Pipili’s Chandua, Raghurajpur’s authentic handiworks to Sambalpuri designs, her sustainable products make sure to prioritise and highlight the art and culture of Odisha.
Speaking to Odishatv.in, Benorita says, “Fashion designing is all about making the best use of one’s creativity and skills. There are several ways of producing ethical fashion and it falls into three categories - social, commercial and environmental. Home decor and clothing items can be easily made out of waste material from different boutiques and factory waste. This is one of the most ethical ways of designing that blends both craft and culture. I also use a patch work technique from Pipili with Pattachitra and Ikat.”
She has conducted her own fashion show in Bengaluru, Mumbai and other major fashion hubs in the country. The vivid texture of fabric and sharp tailoring in her works prove that fashion can be both stylish and organic at the same time.
Benorita is determined to make a point that fashion can absolutely be environment friendly yet doesn’t inexpensive. Her beliefs on eco-friendly fashion designing should be practiced by fashionistas for the sustainability of environment. Her optimism towards life and independent attitude is what makes her an epitome of AtmaNirbharBharat.
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)
You May Also Read:
Odisha Girl From Tribal Community Scripts Success In Fashion Industry