Dimapur, April 10 (MExN): Naga model and former Mister India International 2012 and Sustainable Fashion Curator Opang Jamir was invited to the campus of Inter National Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD), Guwahati held on April 10 to speak to design students on ‘Sustainable Fashion.’
According to a press release received here on Sunday, Jamir noted that India had a blueprint for sustainable fashion economy less than 100 years ago defined by Mahatma Gandhi who believed in decentralised government and wanted to empower each village with its artisanal eco-system of weavers, dyers, embroiderers, craftsmen etc. ‘He believed that each village was a microcosm of the nation. In a country like India that employs 17 million handicrafts workers in village, we’ve forgotten the narrative Mahatma Gandhi handed us at that time, which was about self-reliance,’ Jamir observed.
Jamir also expressed that the Northeast region, as a whole, is a ‘treasure landmine’ of indigenous textiles which is a boon in disguise for young upcoming designers to incorporate in their innovative designs. The indigenous loin-loom and the natural fabric found in Northeast are unique and needs more highlight to make it work into a booming business venture, as fashion is the 7th largest economy globally worth 3 trillion USD as of 2021 statistics, the release stated.
Considering the consequences and environment catastrophe the world faces today because of fast-fashion and usage of artificial fabric use in clothing, Jamir stated that ‘we may pay a huge price for the destruction to the environment.’
He encouraged the INIFD Guwahati design students to be warriors of the environment (ambassadors) and be mindful of their actions and the fabrics used for their clothing, while expressing gratitude to the Managing Centre Director Chinki Agarwal for the invitation.
