Reviving Heritage Craft: NS GAIA AW-17

Sidharth Sinha's Sustainable Fashion Collection Wins Silver A' Design Award

Sidharth Sinha found inspiration for the NS GAIA AW-17 collection in the deep, dark yet lively feeling of meta-modernisation. The collection revolves around nature photography by Sinha and the transformation of existence in the surrounding Mother Earth, the Greek Goddess GAIA. It explores the formation in a hybrid world, where nature starts with almost nothing, just a molecule, and humanity plays the role of transformation.

What sets NS GAIA AW-17 apart is its commitment to mindful production and sustainability. The label, originating from New Delhi, is rich in unique design and fabric techniques. It uses natural, upcycled, and recycled fiber fabrics, including industry waste material. The brand's approach is "less is more," and it plays an active part in the slow fashion movement by ensuring minimal environmental impact.

The collection was realized using waste trims from factories for surface development and recycled fibers for the fabric. These include rayon viscose, cotton viscose, silk viscose, and raw silks, including waste fabrics like Neoprene. Sinha believes in reusing waste in the industry before moving towards the purest form of sustainability by restructuring and cutting down on water waste of natural dyeing.

The project started in September 2016 and finished in February 2017. During this time, Sinha overcame creative, technical, and research challenges, including working in a tribal state with zero acceptance for outsiders. It took six months of living and working with the locals, teaching them new dye techniques, and helping them mix different yarns together to create an ikat effect through tie-dye of the yarns.

NS GAIA AW-17 is a testament to the power of design in preserving cultural heritage and promoting sustainability. It shows how designers like Sidharth Sinha are not just creating beautiful pieces but also making a significant impact on the world. This collection is not just a garment design; it's a movement towards a more sustainable and mindful fashion industry.