Khadi , A Conscious Fashion Choice
Hand spinning and hand weaving have been around for thousands of years, thus, making the craft of Khadi
ancient.
India was the world textile leader until the 19th century because it started early. Weaving skills existed since the
Bronze Age and cotton cultivation and processing began during the Indus Valley Civilization.
By 1830, Great Britain became the world leader in Cotton textiles, displacing India which completely forgot its
legacy as if it never existed. Had there been a free India, they would have resisted.
So why is Khadi important? And why do people wear Khadi?
In 1918 Mahatma Gandhi started his movement for Khadi as a relief program for the poor masses living in India's
villages. Spinning and weaving was elevated to an ideology for self-reliance and self-government.
In 1948, India recognized the role of Rural Cottage Industries in its Industrial Policy Resolution.
After Independence, the Government reserved some types of textile production, like towel manufacturing, for the
hand-loom sector, however it resulted in a deskilling of traditional weavers and became a boost for the power
loom sector.
Since then, the smaller private sector, has been able to make hand-loom weaving somewhat profitable and the
Indian government continues to promote the use of Khadi through various initiatives.
Narendra Modi has asserted that Khadi cloth is a movement to help the poor. One could say that Khadi clothing is a movement to
help the environment. Today's level of consumerism has led to the need for the fashion textile industry to address
how clothing is being produced, who is producing it and how long the life span is before it reaches a landfill.
Ultimately it comes down to the consumer and the choices they are making.
At Upasana we have been using the Khadi cloth and techniques since our very inception and khadi represents
everything that we believe in and are about. At Upasana we don't just design and sell clothing because we have a
shop either. We aim to educate consumers about what it means to make conscious clothing decisions while
helping them understand the importance of an ethical wardrobe.
We have come a long way India, and the world is watching and waiting to see what we do next.
#UpasanaCollective #Giveaway #PowerfulCollective #Upasana #EmpoweringIndia #UpasanaExperience #ConsciousFashion #EthicalFashion #Khadi #handloom #handspun #CraftsofIndia
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