Amit Aggarwal is one of the leading flag bearers of sustainable fashion in India. For his last collection he utilised old patola sarees as modernised outfits and for his upcoming couture presentation, he is again engaging elements of suitable fashion yet again. 

“Our interpretation of Amazon’s theme ‘fresh new look’ is about a new outlook of the woman of today. She celebrates the culture and has a vision for the environment she lives in that translates into her clothing choices,” explains Amit.  

Here is Amit himself, decoding his version of sustainable couture. 

1. What inspired you to experiment with sustainable fashion? Tell us a bit about the creative process involved. 

The times we are living in demand a certain sense of awareness towards the environment and I feel every kind of practitioner needs to take measures that are beneficial towards the environment. As a designer, I enjoy the material play that goes into the making of our collections, the various textures that are developed through materials which are not a regular find in the market. These waste materials are picked up from various industries as their leftovers. So for us, it’s a sustainable and aesthetic choice that we make by utilising such materials in our collections. Our creative process initiates with a centrally recycled material around which we develop the entire collection.

2. Tell us about a few key pieces from your AW’17collection?

Our ready to wear label, AM.IT, utilised old patola sarees as modernised outfits that were presented at Lakme Fashion Week. The same energy is taken to Amit Aggarwal couture AW17 collection that we are showcasing at Amazon India Fashion Week. For our couture, we have utilised the old Patan Patolas and the Benasari brocade sarees with our signature materials and techniques that have augmented the whole appeal of these vintage pieces. It’s a play between feelings like opulence, tradition, luxury and sustainability which is a new attribute for our couture.

3. With sustainability being the buzz-word in fashion lately, how different is your collection from others labels experimenting with the same subject? 

There are different ways designers interpret sustainability. For our studio, it’s about minimum discard and recycling. The waste material gets utilised in our collection as peculiar design details and elements that I feel are very intrinsic to our label.

4. Give us a few tips/tricks on how can people experiment with sustainability/sustainable fashion in their daily wardrobes? 

There are many ways to do it and it can give a person the most unique and creative wardrobe. Any sort of waste can be experimented with and utilised on pre-owned garments as details. Techniques like embroidery, stitching can be used at home or with the help of a tailor or karigar to quirk up their daily wardrobe.

5. With summers knocking, what are the 3 pieces every woman should invest in the coming season? 

A white basic shirt, A cotton tunic and a nice pair of linen culottes.