Making Matters at Bharat Tex 2025
Three projects from the New Landscapes India programme led by University of Arts London’s Fashion, Textiles and Technology Institute (FTTI), in partnership with the British Council will be exhibited at the Materials and Sustainability Pavilion at Bharat Tex 2025. Hall No 3, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi Pavilion Name - Vastrakatha: Sanskriti, Samrudhi, & Sankalp.
Circular Handspun
The 'Circular Handspun' fabric is a collaboration between Conserve India, Where Does It Come From?, Khadi London, and Khamir Craft Society, integrating circular economy principles into the handcrafted textile sector with support from the British Council and University of Arts London’s Fashion, Textiles and Technology Institute (FTTI).
This material seeks to address the growing textile waste problem in India by creating upcycled fabric as a material from the textile waste, reintegrating it into the textile value chain. The innovation promotes a decentralised cluster model for strengthening heritage skills while fostering economic opportunities for artisans and weavers. The material creates potential for adaptability to other natural fibers, enhancing the viability of circular textile systems across India, demonstrating a scalable and sustainable solution for the future of handcrafted textiles.
Bequin
The ‘Bequin’ material is a collaboration between The Stitch Archive (UK), Botto Labs (India), and Vashishtha Luxury Exports (India), creating biomaterial-based embroidery embellishments to replace petroleum-based sequins and beads in luxury fashion, created with support from the British Council and University of Arts London’s Fashion, Textiles and Technology Institute (FTTI).
By utilising agricultural waste from Western India, this material reduces carbon footprint, eliminates import dependence, and creates sustainable livelihoods for artisans through the production of low-tech, accessible bio-based embroidery embellishments. Bequin creates an alternative, durable, cost-effective, and luxury-compatible embellishment that is environmentally-friendly, handcrafted and scalable, setting a new standard for luxury sustainable fashion.
Regenerative Underwear
The ‘Regenerative Underwear’ is an innovative product that is a collaboration between Project Pico UK) and Kaskom (India), and Mila (India), this project rethinks the design and components of organic cotton underwear to enhance sustainability by creating a 100% organic, fully biodegradable underwear prototype with support from the British Council and University of Arts London’s Fashion, Textiles and Technology Institute (FTTI).
This first-of-its-kind knitted ‘Desi’ cotton fabric from Karunganni cotton grown in Tamil Nadu, specifically suited for underwear addresses end-of-life impact and carbon footprint reduction, this product tackles recycling challenges posed by hygiene concerns, making biodegradability essential. The innovation will shape future advancements in local fibre sourcing, natural dyeing, and sustainable production, ensuring a balance between aesthetics, functionality, durability, and financial viability for future underwear collections.
About Bharat Tex 2025
A global textile event hosted at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from February 14–17, 2025. The event will also be held at the India Expo Centre and Mart in Greater Noida. The event will showcase India's textile value chain, including fashion, traditional crafts, and sustainability initiatives. The event will feature exhibitions on handicrafts, garment machinery, dyes, chemicals, and accessories. The event will offer networking opportunities to connect with industry peers. The event will offer a Hosted Overseas Buyer Program that includes meet and greet services, hotel accommodation, and airport and venue transfer services.