On World Cotton Day, we talk about organic and sustainable cotton, which causes less harm to the environment. With a background in environmental studies, designer Drishti Modi of Lafaani tells us, “When I worked with cotton farmers in Andhra Pradesh for a project, I learned that kala cotton, kandu cotton, and ponduru are cotton varieties with the least environmental damage as they use less water for irrigation.”

Weave the Future 2.0: A textile journey from seed to stitch.

Lafaani’s eco-printed textile panels, created with dried flowers and temple offerings, reflect on memory and the sacredness of the handmade.

The second edition of Weave The Future puts native cotton in the spotlight

It spotlights regenerative textile practices and the future of indigenous cotton in the context of pressing concerns such as climate change and overconsumption. Panel discussions outline possible ways forward

National Handloom Day: This exhibition in Delhi's Crafts Museum weaves a tribute to spotlight Indian handloom.

There will also be on display some intriguing installations namely Soundscape by Sonam Khetan, Cotton 2.0 by Kora Design Collaborative, ‘What if every thread remembered?’ by Lafaani, and 11.11. These projects serve as a reflection of the exhibition’s ethos, where textiles are not just products but living narratives of culture, ecology, and collective imagination

How an exhibition on textiles in the Capital points to self-reliance and reimagining nature’s bounty

Reimagining waste in India, the focus has always been on understanding specific regional nuances of weaving and textile in a landscape gearing towards the mass production of fast fashion. This philosophy reflects in the regenerative materials and native techniques used by the 30-odd brands at the exhibition, which started on August 7 on National Handlooms Day and is on till August 17 in the National Crafts Museum premises.

Textile ministry sets up taskforce for sustainable fashion

On National Handloom Day, the textile ministry launched a sustainability-focused exhibition and ESG taskforce to promote circularity in fashion. The “Weave the Future” event celebrates regenerative handloom practices, indigenous cotton, and artisan-led innovation in textiles.

Weave the Future
New edition celebrates handlooms, regenerative practices, and the future of indigenous cotton

At Lafaani, Fashion Flows In Circular Motion- Darshita Goyal

A Generation F special for World Environment Day.

Conscious design requires creative thinking and problem solving. For instance, Lafaani does not use any fusing or metal zippers, which forces the team to innovate with buttons along the fly of pants or knotted ties on jackets. The label emphasises on creating multifunctional, adaptable garments.

Look closely at a Lafaani piece, and you’ll find embroidery that doesn’t scream. This quiet detail is part of a bigger philosophy: Lafaani doesn’t believe in designing for a season but for a story – your story. Their threadwork has a certain humility: intuitive, hand-led, and deeply personal.

So how does one move from observing flying lizards in the Western Ghats, or surveying toilet numbers in remote villages, to staging runway shows? And making wonderful trench coats dyed with marigolds diverted from temple waste-streams. Somewhat of a winding road, it has to be said! Was it hard? What drives them? When you haven't been to fashion school, how do you get the design right? Who do you work with? How do you figure it all out, while staying true to your purpose?

It's not only how Lafaani utilizes craft that distinguishes them, but their craft approach as well. They make a point of working closely with grassroots institutions to create their supply chain.

Fundamentally, Lafaani is selling a philosophy—and to think, and dress with intention. In a world of algorithms and drops, here's a brand that's reminding us fashion can be considerate, textured, and profoundly human.

Where Heritage Meets Innovation

Luxury here is rooted in collaboration. Each piece reflects a deep partnership with artisans—every embroidery stitch, every weave a celebration of human touch. Techniques like French knots, Kantha, and bullion stitches bloom across fabric like moss on stone, creating garments that are not just worn, but felt.

Born in a global crisis, Lafaani grew from a quiet rebellion and a love for Indian crafts and circular apparel. How did Kantha, a centuries-old Indian stitching technique, become the language of their brand? Why is every piece made slowly, intentionally, and to last a lifetime? What shifts when artisans are seen, heard, and valued as co-creators?

Lafaani is worn and it’s lived.

Discover how Lafaani (@thelafaanistudio) is revolutionizing the fashion world by turning it into an eco-conscious journey filled with artistry and resilience. Watch the episode now and see how style can make a difference.

For LFW X FDCI Lafaani worked with kala cotton, hand crafted embroidery, and reached out to a company in Mumbai which recycles flowers waste from Haji Ali and Siddhivinayak temple.

Since the time Drishti Modi and Rashmick Bose launched the Lafaani label three years ago the brand has come a long way. They had a firm belief to design 100 per cent bio degradable clothing for both sexes.

The event’s jury included renowned industry figures such as Sara Sozzani Maino of the Sozzani Foundation and designer Anavila Misra, reflecting the Challenge’s growing international recognition.

Their collection “Meadows” was multifunctional in shades of deep olive, sage green, yellow, blue and Kora. There were light weight separates with prints and embroidery like French knots, Bullion knots, lazy daisy stitches and kantha.

Drishti Modi and Rashmick Bose’s slow fashion label Lafaani which works extensively with indigenous cotton fabrics was announced as the runner-up.

The winner and runner-up will be mentored by Orsola de Castro, Co-founder of Fashion Revolution & Creative Director of Estethica; and this influential partnership will provide invaluable guidance to the designers.

Meet India’s R|Elan Circular Design Challenge winners

The 6th edition of the R|Elan Circular Design Challenge, held in partnership with the UN in India, unveiled seven finalists an two winners during the Sustainable Fashion Day at Lakmē Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI (Fashion Design Council of India). 

Reviving Heritage: 4 Homegrown Brands Championing Sustainable Fashion

The brand’s ethos is embodied by its signature Kantha stitch, an age-old style of hand embroidery that reflects the values of minimising waste and respecting limited resources. The versatility of the stitch also enables it to seamlessly blend into different designs, allowing the label to produce sustainable and timeless pieces.

Featured in the "Top 26 Sustainable Fashion Brands in India"

This article explores the top sustainable fashion brands in India, each offering unique designs while prioritizing environmental responsibility and social equity. By supporting local artisans and promoting fair trade, these brands are paving the way for a more sustainable future in fashion, proving that style and ethics can go hand in hand.

From their debut collection to subsequent ones, the label epitomises fashioning clothes from indigenous cotton fabrics (kala cotton and brown cotton) that are hand-spun, hand-woven and naturally dyed, incorporating the age-old embroidery techniques of kantha, couching, French knots and bullion knots in collaboration with grassroots communities.

"Lafaani is supporting initiatives that are conserving pre-loom processes, creating direct sustainable livelihoods for weavers and artisans across the supply chain. Their intention is to conserve and maintain indigenous resources and crafts."

For me, Lafaani outshines traditional fashion brands in so many ways, including their unwavering commitment to using locally sourced materials such as Indigenous cotton, ensuring that their garments support local farmers and maintain a low environmental footprint. Their clothes are multifunctional, designed with versatility in mind, making them infinitely more sustainable.

The India Shortlist Jury of R|Elan™ presents Circular Design Challenge (CDC) in partnership with the United Nations in India, saw Lafaani present their collection of 100% biodegradable and modular apparel, rooted in circularity.

"What does currentMood Mag adore most about Lafaani? Those thoughtful repair kits – a smart way to make your fashion last longer!"

Blur The Border speaks to Drishti and Rashmick - co-founders of Lafaani on their design process and the challenges of building a conscious brand in India.

"A passion project, started by two friends, with their unabashed love and admiration for timeless designs, Indian textiles, and learnings from traditional Indian craft knowledge."

"Drishti and Rashmick who met while pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies and Resources Management, are responsible for Lafaani, a thoroughly-researched, 100% biodegradable, Indian heritage-loving, kantha-obsessed contemporary clothing label for men and women."