Chandigarh
20 December 2024
DIVYA AZAD
Alliance Française and Ritu Kochhar, pillars of Education & Design, joined forces to host the city’s first-ever “Sustainable Fashion Event”. The two-day event at Alliance Francaise in Sector 36 here, raised awareness about fashion’s environmental impact and promoted sustainable alternatives, featuring a clothing swap and live upcycling experience in the city of Chandigarh.
The event, which is free and open to all, was conceptualized and curated by Ritu Kochhar, a renowned design mentor, academician, entrepreneur, and fashion curator. With a vibrant career spanning more than three decades, Ritu has been a guiding force in the world of fashion, mentoring young designers and promoting sustainable fashion practices. Her expertise has made her a prominent figure in the design community, and through this event, she continues to inspire change by advocating for conscious fashion choices.
A key highlight of the event was the first-ever “Clothing Swap” and live Upcycling Workshop, aimed at educating citizens on strengthening the upcycling economy in India, reducing their fashion footprint, and embracing circular fashion. The event emphasized the beauty of slow fashion and how it fosters community-building, while also promoting the concept of a “second chance” for clothing through swapping and upcycling.
Ritu Kochhar’s initiative, “ROPE WITH ME”, emphasizes the 3Rs of fashion: Reimagining, Recreating, and Reusing old pieces. These principles of circularity were at the heart of the event. A live upcycling workshop showcased a variety of craft techniques, including painting, sewing, embroidery, printing, appliqué, crochet, and beadwork, where participants learned how to give a new life to their old garments.
“In fashion, we can Reimagine, Recreate, and Reuse to craft a more sustainable future. Let’s turn waste into wonder, and create conscious closets that reflect our commitment to the planet”, said Ritu Kochhar. You can swap your pre-loved clothes for new-to-you festive attire and make this holiday season both stylish and sustainable. It helps extend the lifespan of textiles and materials to reduce waste and promote creative reuse, she added.
Ophélie Belin, Director, Alliance Française Chandigarh, said, “At Alliance Française Chandigarh, we are excited to bring the spirit of sustainable fashion, a growing trend in France and across Europe, to our community. This clothing swap event is more than just exchanging clothes—it’s about embracing eco-conscious choices, sharing cultural connections, and promoting a circular economy, one garment at a time.”
The two-day event, which is free and open to all, was a melting pot of ideas, creativity, and knowledge sharing, where participants explored sustainable practices and embraced the culture of upcycling. As the party season approaches, the Clothing Swap provided a perfect opportunity for volunteers, students, and supporters to exchange pre-loved garments, refresh their wardrobes, and give old clothes a new home.
This event celebrated the future of fashion, focusing on sustainability, and featured initiatives like creating Christmas tree ornaments using waste materials to support the zero-waste cause.
The event concluded on a positive note, leaving everyone energized and motivated to continue advocating for sustainability in the craft sector. The momentum created at the event is just the beginning, and we look forward to many more such opportunities to promote a #CircularFuture for fashion.
