Mumbai – Union Minister for Textiles Smriti Zubin Irani on 22 Aug launched project SU.RE – Sustainable Resolution – for sustainable fashion at the Lakmé Fashion Winter/Festive 2019, in Mumbai.
The project was launched in association with Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), IMG Reliance and United Nations in India.
The SU.RE project is a commitment by India’s apparel industry to set a sustainable pathway for the Indian fashion industry, an IMG Reliance release said.
“We are celebrating the 150th birth anniversary year of Mahatma Gandhi, who asked us to be the change you wish to see in the world. The sustainability resolution being adopted today is reflective of that very thought of the Mahatma,” the minister said.
The top 16 apparel brands with combined industry value of Rs 30,000 crore are signatories to the project, the release said quoting the minister. The step taken today makes for not only responsible business but also smart business, she further said.
“It is a tremendously responsible and timely step taken by the apparel industry of India, especially the signatories, to commit to move towards sustainable fashion,” Rahul Mehta, President at CMAI said.
The signatories for project SU.RE are Future Group, Shopper’s Stop, Aditya Birla Retail, Arvind Brands, Lifestyle, Max, Raymond, House of Anita Dongre, W, Biba, Westside, 109F, Spykar, Levi’s, Bestsellers and Trends, the release said.
The signatories have pledged to source/utilize a substantial portion of their total consumption using sustainable raw materials and processes, by the year 2025.
“This initiative will be the start of a movement that can have massive impact and we hope to see significant change to come through over the next five years as major retailers move towards embracing sustainability at their core,” Jaspreet Chandok, Vice President and Head of Fashion, IMG Reliance said.
