Masaba Gupta, Gaurav Gupta & 30 other Indian designers go leather-free

Sonaakshi Raaj, Siddartha Tytler, Rina Dhaka, Vikram Phadnis, Rocky Star, Atsu Sekhose, Dev R Nil, and Bloni by Akshat Bansal have also taken the pledge. Anita Dongre and Purvi Doshi have been leather-free for a while, PETA India said in a blogpost on its website.

“Sustainability in fashion is multifold; animal cruelty and the toxic effluents from tanneries are key issues that need to be addressed alongside others,” said Darshana Gajare, head of sustainability for Lakmé Fashion Week/RISE Worldwide. “It’s promising to see the responses from Indian fashion designers, it’s a crucial step in the right direction.”

Vegan leather can be made with materials as varied as cork, mangoes, coconut, pineapple leaves, recycled plastic, mushrooms, tomato composite, grapes, and discarded temple flowers. In addition to saving animals, these options avoid the environmental and societal costs associated with animal-derived leather, including greenhouse-gas emissions, deforestation to raise cows and toxic tannery waste that pollutes the Ganges and harms tannery workers.

The pledge was taken by the designers on the occasion of World Fashion Day, which is celebrated on August 21.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)