Designers going green at India fashion week

By Tony Tharakan

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Environment-friendly clothing is in vogue around the world and many designers at Delhi's fashion week espoused the 'green' cause.

Some like Vikram Phadnis based their shows on the 'Save the Earth' theme without actually using too many natural fabrics.

Among those who did, Nitin Bal Chauhan procured handwoven wool from shepherds in Himachal Pradesh, Samant Chauhan used natural silks and recycled junk jewellery from Chandni Chowk while Ruchira Kandhari and Ekta Jaipuria combined organic knits with vanya silks sourced from the north-east.

"As long as we are doing silks, cottons and linens we are safe, and dyes which don't have components that are hazardous to the environment and which have certification from international bodies," said designer Deepika Govind, who uses handwoven fabric in her collections.

More than 80 designers showcased autumn and winter collections on the runway or in stalls at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week, which ended on Sunday.

The nine designers who made their debut in New Delhi have a tie-up with Birla Cellulose -- the maker of viscose fibre free of heavy metals.

"We're trying to develop some fabrics which will use their technical know-how and combine them with the things we want," said 'Azara' designer Neeraj Chauhan.

But top Indian designers are yet to join the eco-friendly bandwagon.