This week, SU.RE marked the successful conclusion of its strategic collaboration with the British Council, a partnership dedicated to pioneering sustainability in the fashion industry. The culmination of this six-month journey saw delegates presenting innovative and actionable roadmaps, setting a solid foundation for transformative change.
The Collaboration: A Global Exchange of Ideas and Innovation
Over the past six months, the SU.RE delegation engaged with like-minded organizations across the UK, Copenhagen, and beyond. This global exposure enriched their understanding of sustainable practices and fostered collaborative synergies. The project revolved around four key goals:
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Facilitating Knowledge Exchange
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Empowerment Through Learning
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Creating Actionable Roadmaps
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Catalyzing Industry Change
These goals underscored the essence of the initiative: to translate learnings into practical strategies that address pressing challenges in the fashion value chain.
A Roadmap for a Sustainable Future
The closing session was a testament to the collaboration’s impact. Delegates presented comprehensive roadmaps that tackled critical areas such as:
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Sustainable Packaging: Innovating eco-friendly alternatives to reduce waste.
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Innovative Materials: Exploring groundbreaking materials for ethical production.
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Employee Welfare: Prioritizing the well-being and development of the workforce.
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Carbon Footprint Reduction: Implementing measurable strategies to lower emissions.
Each presentation highlighted actionable strategies designed to reshape how fashion is designed, produced, and consumed.
Insights from The New Landscapes Grantees
As part of the collaboration, The New Landscapes grantees—including Conserve India, The Stitch Archive, True Tone Ink, Kaskom Crafts, and Mila Clothing—shared invaluable insights. They presented their findings, challenges, and successes, offering a wealth of knowledge to refine ongoing projects, identify next steps, and address pivotal questions as they work toward scaling sustainable solutions in the fashion industry.
Spotlight on Community-Centric Initiatives
The event also featured presentations from Iro Iro Zero Waste (part of the Circular Design Challenge), Esthetica, and The Right Project. These organizations showcased their innovative efforts to develop strategic data collection methods that leverage India’s diverse geographical, social, and economic landscapes. Their work focuses on sourcing and supporting trusted menders, small businesses, and informal workers within local community networks—an approach that highlights the potential of grassroots collaboration in driving sustainable change.
Leveraging the India-UK Enterprise Consortium
Another significant outcome was access to The New Landscapes grantees, a robust India-UK enterprise consortium. This platform facilitated the cross-pollination of ideas and solutions, fostering collaborations between retailers and startups to address challenges in the fashion value chain with a shared vision for sustainability.
About SU.RE
SU.RE (Sustainable Resolution) is India’s largest voluntary commitment by the apparel industry to drive sustainable fashion. An initiative by the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), Reliance Brands Limited (RBL), the United Nations in India, and the Ministry of Textiles, SU.RE embodies a collective pledge to redefine the future of fashion with responsibility and innovation at its core.
As SU.RE and the British Council part ways on this enriching collaboration, the roadmaps and shared insights from grantees and grassroots organizations offer a glimpse of a brighter, more sustainable future for fashion. With these actionable strategies in hand, the journey toward a greener industry has never looked more promising.
Stay tuned for updates as SU.RE continues to inspire, innovate, and lead the way in sustainable fashion!
