By – Eshanvi Grover, Student-designer and sustainability enthusiast from New Delhi.

The Fabric of ChangeBehind the sparkle of runways and red carpets lies a shadow few talk about — over 92 million tonnes of clothing waste dumped annually, and up to 45 billion garments produced each year, many of which never find a wearer. The question isn’t whether fashion is broken — it’s whether we’re brave enough to fix it.

As a teen designer, I’ve chosen to stitch my creativity into a new narrative: one where style and sustainability walk the runway together.

Fast Fashion’s Fallout: The Truth in Your ClosetWe live in a world where clothes are cheaper, trends move faster, and the cycle of buy-wear-dispose feels endless. But that ‘₹499 top’ often hides the real cost: polluted rivers, underpaid workers, and overflowing landfills.

If fashion is supposed to reflect culture, why are we okay with waste?

Reworking the Rules: Style That EvolvesMy journey began when I looked at my own closet — clothes worn twice, trends I no longer liked, and a pile of “nothing to wear.”

That’s when I discovered upcycling. A satin dress became a hybrid kurti. A mesh top turned into two beanies. Slowly, fashion felt less like consumption and more like creation.

Today, my designs focus on:

Multi-use garments — Outfits that morph from dress to top to wrap.

Breathable, eco-friendly fabrics — Like hemp and upcycled cotton.

Timeless silhouettes — Because sustainability is the opposite of fast.

Teens & Moms: The Overlooked AudienceFrom school runs to sleepovers, our lives move fast. But most clothes aren’t built for flexibility. Sustainable fashion fills that gap — with clothes that are comfortable, durable, and adaptable.

Imagine: one outfit that serves three occasions, made of skin-friendly fabric, and designed to last years, not months.

5 Tips to Start Your Sustainable Wardrobe

• Repeat is chic — Rewear your favorites. Restyling is the new cool.
• Swap parties > shopping hauls — Host monthly exchanges with friends.
• Label check — Look for natural or recycled fabrics before buying.
• Tailor, don’t toss — A small stitch can save a garment.
• Support small, ethical brands — They often produce with purpose.

Why This Isn’t Just a Teen TrendFrom Paris to Delhi, the future of fashion is circular. Major fashion houses now explore zero-waste design. Schools teach sustainability as a core course, not an afterthought.

This isn’t a phase. It’s a movement — and Gen Z is leading it.

My Mission: Less Waste, More WowMy goal is to launch a line of transformable clothing — fashion that moves with you, fits different body types, and lives longer than one season.

Because the best kind of fashion doesn’t just look good — it does good.