BLACK PEARL Joins Industry Leaders at UK-India Sustainable Fashion Event
On April 5th, 2024, the UK-India Sustainability Market Visit hosted a High Tea Reception at the British Deputy High Commissioner’s Residence in Chennai, India. The event aimed to illuminate sustainable practices in fashion for delegates from India and across the globe.
A key highlight was Bags of Ethics, a London-based sustainable design company with its manufacturing in Pondicherry (India)t. Their ethically sourced, award-winning supply chain prioritizes both environmental and social well-being. Bags of Ethics works with cotton farmers who are certified under international labeling organizations such as Fairtrade, Global Organic Textile Standards, and the SEDEX ethical auditing body. The inks used are REACH-compliant (non-toxic dyes).
Bags of Ethics has been a recipient of the National Award Winners for the Most Ethical Supply Chain as part of HRH Prince of Wales’ Business in the Community Award and they’ve been acknowledged by Fairtrade Foundation for their practices. Dr. R Sri Ram, Bags of Ethics founder, emphasized the importance of cross-cultural collaboration in driving sustainable practices. He spoke about their factory in Pondicherry, staffed by a 90% female workforce, and extended an invitation for guests to witness the production process firsthand. Dr. Sri Ram believes this firsthand experience is crucial for understanding true sustainability.
The event, co-organized by the British Fashion Council, UK Department for Business & Trade, and Bags of Ethics, convened leading figures from the fashion industry. Guests from diverse backgrounds – education, fashion, trade, and business – sparked lively discussions, seeking collaboration opportunities and advancing the conversation on fashion sustainability. A key takeaway was the collective recognition of heritage and culture as cornerstones of sustainable fashion frameworks. Notably, the need for India to preserve and promote its cultural heritage through fashion resonated not just with Indian guests but also garnered enthusiastic support from international delegates.
The emphasis on cross-cultural collaboration reflects the recognition that sustainable fashion requires collective action and shared values across different regions and communities. By bringing together stakeholders from India and the UK, the event aimed to foster dialogue and exchange of ideas, emphasising the importance of cultural understanding and mutual respect in driving positive change.
The acknowledgment of heritage and culture as integral to sustainable fashion frameworks resonates deeply with both Indian and British audiences. In India, traditional craftsmanship and artisanal techniques have long been celebrated as part of the country’s rich cultural heritage. By promoting the preservation and promotion of cultural traditions through fashion, the event highlights the potential for sustainable development to be culturally inclusive and empowering.
Overall, the UK-India Sustainability Market Visit underscores the importance of collaboration, innovation, and cultural sensitivity in advancing sustainable practices in the fashion industry, reflecting broader efforts to build a more socially and environmentally responsible global economy.
Distinguished guests at the event included:
Caroline Rush – CEO British Fashion Council
Darshana Gajare- Head of Sustainability, RISE Worldwide
Sanah Sharma – Education & Research, BLACK PEARL
Sujata Assomull – International Fashion Journalist and Author
Jamila Saidi – Head of Digital Commerce, Retail & Luxury at UK’s Department for Business & Trade
Sylvie Freund-Pickavance – Group Director of Strategy and Business Development for Value Retail/Bicester Collection
Neha Kohli Dhingra, Head of Fashion, Fashion Design Council of India
Dr R. Sri Ram, Founder of Bags of Ethics
Oliver Ballhatchet MBE, UK Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai
Cultural Context:
Pondicherry, also known as Puducherry, is a Union Territory in India, located on the southeastern coast of the country. It is bordered by the Indian states of Tamil Nadu to the south, west, and north, and by the Bay of Bengal to the east. Pondicherry was a French colonial settlement until 1954, and it still retains much of its colonial architecture and cultural influence.
