The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) and MKSSS’s School of Fashion Technology (SOFT) have organized a two-day conference on sustainability in the fashion industry. The event titled ‘Bharatiya’ (Indian) A Legacy of Sustainability’ was held in Pune, Maharashtra, on June 8 and 9 and aimed to contribute towards policies under G20’s Civil20 India 2023 working group – LiFE (Lifestyle For Environment).
The conference was part of the ‘Green Fashion India’ platform, authorized to encourage the fashion industry to embrace sustainable practices by YOJAK Centre for Research and Strategic Planning for Sustainable Development India, the designated coordinator of LiFE.
Over 55 key dignitaries from the fashion industry in India, Germany, and the United Kingdom attended the conference, engaging in a variety of sessions aimed at gathering crucial insights for policy recommendations.
During the conference, discussions centred on the importance of sustainability in fashion. Keynote speakers stressed the need for corporates to use their CSR funds for sustainability and other developmental projects in collaboration with academia, for transparency, traceability in the fashion value chain and use of natural resources with special policies.
The conference also emphasized the protection of traditional legacy in handlooms, handmade, hand embroideries, Indian traditions and its impact on sustainability from the perspective of regeneration. It is aimed at promoting an ecosystem where sustainability is given top priority, raising awareness and fostering a widespread movement towards sustainable fashion in India.
The conference culminated into ten point recommendations paper that will now serve as the base of the policy dialogue between the G20 and C20 LiFE working group committees.
CMAI President Rajesh Masand said, As a representative association of the apparel industry in India, we are looking at evangelising more than 4000 members that largely comprise of apparel manufacturers and brands and more than 20,000 retailers.
The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India is the most representative association of the Indian apparel industry and has over 4000 members serving more than 20,000 retailers. Its membership consists of manufacturers, exporters, brands and ancillary industry.
