As part of a bold campaign to establish India as the Responsible Fashion Business Capital by 2030, the International Fashion Business Exchange Council (IFBEC) convened its National Mission Committee (NMC) on World Environment Day at the World Trade Center, Mumbai.

The half-day launch brought together leaders from Reliance Industries, Bestseller, United Way Mumbai, IDH and representatives from the government, academia, and civil society who all recognize the role of India on the world stage of sustainable fashion. The session, led by Roop Rashi Mahapatra, CEO, KVIC, focused on India’s potential within the sustainable fashion movement – and on realizing this ambition.

The newly formed NMC would serve as an advisory think tank to elevate the fashion-relevant industries through: circular fashion and textile innovation; sustainable policies for international trade; SME & artisan market access;  and green finance and regulatory frameworks.

“India is circular by nature. Textile waste is a source, not a problem.” said Mahapatra, who encouraged movement from policy to grassroots changes.

Neha Gupta, Founder of IFBEC, added, “This committee is not a token one. It is a joint mandate for measurable change. Sustainability should be lived, not legislated.” 

Harshavardhan Chauhan from Bharat YEF called the initiative “a declaration that Bharat will no longer be sewn into someone else’s value chain.” 

With climate change driving shifts in fashion, the formation of NMC signifies a shift from volume to value and legacy to leadership. The plant-based sustainable textile future of India starts today.