This International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, let’s spotlight sustainable fashion brands that are just as chic as mainstream labels—while being far kinder to the planet.

With India’s sustainable fashion market valued at $1.31 billion and projected to grow over 10% annually (2023–2028) as per the India Green Fashion Market Report, the sustainable shift is undeniable. This change is crucial, as major fashion brands contribute 10% of global greenhouse emissions through overproduction, waste, and toxic materials, according to National Research Development Corporation (NRDC).

Thankfully, eco-conscious alternatives are on the rise, offering stylish, sustainable choices—empowering women to make a difference, one outfit at a time.

A Big Indian Story

Founded in Pune in 2019, it is one of the few PETA-approved vegan sustainable fashion brands. The brand offers products like bags and apparels made from sustainable fabrics as well as natural jewellery for women.

Some of the sustainable and natural materials they use include hemp fibre, apple leather (made from leftover pomace and peel), and vegan leather which is made from agricultural waste products, sustainable biomaterials), among others. All their products are handcrafted and the brand is helping to keep the traditional artisan crafts alive.

B Label

Hemp fibre is derived from the cannabis sativa plant and is one of the strongest bast fibres. It is estimated to be three times lighter than cotton and highly breathable, making it a good choice for places with high temperatures. B Label is clothing brand of BOHECO (Bombay Hemp Company) started in 2015. It produces exclusively hemp made clothing. In fact they were the first ones to sell organic hemp clothing in India.

Their products range from shirts and tops to co-ords and dresses. One may find the pricing on the higher side but the long sustainable nature and quality of the fabric compensates for the price in the long run.

Ecentric

Another pure hemp fabric based sustainable brand Ecentric was founded in 2020 by Salendra Gupta, an IIM Calcutta graduate. The brand focuses on slow fashion sustainability and is trying to make an environment centric community.

Women’s wear like kurtas and tops made from hemp fabric are available at an affordable price point. Salendra Gupta, founder, Eccentric, says, “Hemp has many advantages from cultivation to product features over other fabrics. To cultivate hemp, you require 4-5x times less water compared to cotton. It is grown organically and prevents soil erosion. These are environmental benefits of cultivating hemp. On the product side, the fabric made from hemp is very light weight, comfortable, and breathable.”

He adds, “Given it is the strongest fibre on the planet, it is very durable. It keeps the wearer cool in summer and warm in winter. Hemp fabric ages like wine, getting softer with every wash. Hemp is truly revolutionary in the sustainable fabric space”

FabIndia

Founded in 1960 by John Bissel as a company which was into exports of home furnishing products. Its first physical store opened in 1976 in New Delhi. Today Fabindia is the largest sustainable fashion brand in India and has its presence in around 44 countries and physical stores across 7 countries. Working with more than 40,000 artisans and craftsmen across India, Fabindia has become the flagbearer of protecting the traditional fashion heritage of India and has been a useful source of employment for artisans in rural India. No wonder it is the first choice for people who are looking to switch to sustainable slow fashion.

Grassroots By Anita Dongre

This luxury sustainable fashion brand started in 2015 by Anita Dongre promotes Indian crafts via direct collaborations with artisans creating clothing in an ethical and sustainable environment.

Grassroots offers both traditional and modern wear for women ranging from lehenga sets to tops and jackets and all the fabric is sourced from companies which manufacture biodegradable fabrics and put in use sustainable practices in their production. Bemberg by Asahi Kasei, Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) and Tencel are some of their partners from where they source their fabrics.

Khadi India

An initiative of the Government of India, Khadi and Village Industries Commission was established in 1957 to promote khadi and village industries in rural India. Khadi is a fabric hand spun and hand woven made using wool, cotton or silk. It is the national fabric of India and has a significance attached to the freedom movement. Khadi India products can be bought both online as well as from the outlets which are spread all over India. Buying khadi helps our local artisans and rural industries preserve traditional crafts and skills. 

No Nasties

Founded in 2011 by Apurva Kothari, No Nasties has been very innovative. The company practises sustainability by using organic cotton and planting three trees for every product you buy. They do not use plastic in their packaging. They also work with local artisans, thereby helping in preserving traditional art forms. The company offers all types of modern dresses for women ranging from linen tees to skirts at a reasonable price point.

Apurva Kothari, Founder, No Nasties, says, “Every piece of clothing from No Nasties is made with zero plastic, no synthetic dyes, and no polyester—just pure, breathable 100% organic cotton and linen. We work with ethical factories to ensure minimal waste, fair wages, and the highest quality craftsmanship. For every piece you buy, we plant trees to offset the carbon emissions from production and shipping. This means your clothing isn’t just carbon neutral—it’s actually helping remove CO₂ from the air. We are India’s most sustainable clothing brand – backed by science and data to prove it.”

Okhai

An initiative of Tata Chemicals Society for Rural Development (TCSRD), Okhai was founded in 2008 with an aim to support the local women artisans of Okhamandal region of Gujarat. Manorath Dhillon is the current CEO and creative director of Okhai. The brand works on making 100% sustainable products which are friendly to the environment and help in empowerment of the women artisans as the brand solely focuses on uplifting and improving the lives of female artisans who hail from rural and underprivileged regions.

Okhai offers a wide range of women’s apparel ranging from traditional sarees to dresses and jumpsuits. As per their ideology they state “When you shop on Okhai, you become the owner of a beautiful handmade piece and enable its maker to have social equity and send their children to school”. Today Okhai has over 30,000 women artisans associated with them and is majorly helping in the cause of women empowerment.

Sui

Founded in 2018 by Mahima Gujral, Sui is based in India and Singapore and offers ethical sustainable fashion products collaborating with like-minded organisations like WomenWeave, Bagru Textiles, Pin and Needles, among others.

Some of the natural fabrics they are using in creating their products include hemp fibre, tencel (made from wood pulp cellulose sourced from responsibly managed plantations) and handspun organic cotton. Sui is offering modern clothing from jacket to co-ords and jumpsuits and jackets.

Tamarind Chutney

Tanvi Bikhchandani and Charanya Shekar founded Tamarind Chutney in 2019 with an aim to improve the lives of local artisans and help in the cause of preserving India’s own art and craft’s heritage which is seriously under threat due to high preference for fast fashion in this day and age.

The brand has a wide array of offerings from traditional sarees to modern wears like jumpsuits and tops for women at quite an attractive price point compared to other similar sustainable fashion brands. Some of the ways Tamarind Chutney is operating in a sustainable way is through use of handmade fabrics, using plastic free packaging, using techniques to use minimal water and not making high volume of products and hence not putting extra pressure on the artisans.