Slow fashion is Not a Buzzword, But a Way of Living

Slow fashion might seem like a recent trend, but for the weavers of Banaras, it’s how they’ve always lived. In their world, a saree isn’t stitched overnight — it’s slowly and lovingly handwoven, thread by thread, over days or weeks. Their rhythm has always been deliberate. Their focus, sacred.

While the rest of the world rushes toward convenience and mass production, Banaras still pauses — to weave, to honor, to preserve.

What Is Slow Fashion?

Slow fashion is about:

• Craft over convenience
• Quality over quantity
• People and planet over profit

It promotes sustainability, fair labor, and mindful consumption. It’s a lifestyle that supports conscious creation and meaningful wear — something our weavers have practiced long before the word “sustainable” became a marketing tool.

The Devastating Cost of Fast Fashion

• Labor Exploitation

Over 75 million people work in the fashion supply chain; most earn less than a living wage. Disasters like the Rana Plaza collapse (2013) exposed the shocking reality: brands profited, while makers paid the price — sometimes with their lives.

• Environmental Damage

Fashion is the second-largest industrial polluter after oil.

It accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions and 20% of global wastewater.

Over 85% of textiles end up in landfills annually — that’s billions of garments rotting in silence.

One cotton shirt consumes 2,700 liters of water — enough for one person’s drinking needs for 2.5 years.

Our Weavers: The Original Slow Fashion Custodians

Banarasi weavers don’t follow fashion calendars — they follow heritage.

They use:

🌱 Natural fibers like silk and cotton

🧵 Handlooms, not machines

🕰️ Time-honored techniques passed down over generations

💚 Deep intention behind every weave, motif, and detail

Each saree is made to last, to be cherished, to be passed on. This is slow fashion in its purest form.

Big Fashion Brands Are (Finally) Catching Up

Even the global giants — long criticized for overproduction — are waking up to the need for change:

Stella McCartney

A pioneer in sustainable fashion. Uses vegan leather, recycled polyester, and organic cotton across all collections. They strive to create the most beautiful and desirable products with the least impact on our planet. Their conscious values are the leading inspiration behind their products and innovations. As industry leaders, they endeavour to make use of the most cutting-edge and progressive materials that aim to reduce impact on the planet and are always cruelty-free, whilst following the principles of circularity. They continue to aim to increase our transparency across supply chains through diligent reporting, measuring and tracking. 

Their sustainability vision is guided by bold values – making every action count, inspiring trust and celebrating life.

They are committed to always being responsible, honest and accountable, leaving a positive impact on the planet.

Gucci

Launched “Gucci Off The Grid”, using recycled, organic, and sustainably sourced materials. Also announced steps toward carbon neutrality. Designed for those mindful of their environmental impact, Gucci Off The Grid is the first collection from Gucci Circular Lines, created in line with the House’s vision for circular production.

Duffle bags, backpacks, sneakers, small accessories and ready to wear pieces are all created using ECONYL®, made from regenerated Nylon (from abandoned fishing nets, old carpets and other scraps — including plastics that harm marine life and old materials that will likely end up in landfills) coupled with solvent-free adhesives, recycled polyester (from PET bottles) as well as recycled, organic, bio-based and sustainably sourced materials. To support a continued cycle, the ECONYL® offcuts are recovered from Gucci’s manufacturing and transformed into new high-quality yarn. Versatile pieces made for traveling to the countryside, inside the city, to somewhere undiscovered or imagined Gucci Off The Grid collection is a journey that can also be taken more responsibly towards the planet.

Colored an intense blue indigo, a line-up of pieces inside the collection are designed exclusively for the Japan, and worn by singer and songwriter Miyavi in the campaign.

Levi’s

Introduced Water<Less™ jeans, saving up to 96% of water per product. Also promotes repair and reuse via in-store tailor shops. Levi’s® developed more than 20 innovative techniques that do just that: use less of our world’s precious natural resource.

What might a Water<Less® technique look like? Sometimes we simply use a thimble of water and a bit of ozone instead of detergent. To get a soft feel typically achieved by using fabric softener, we might tumble jeans with bottle caps and golf balls, taking the water out of the wash altogether. The end result remains the same: the jeans you love made by using less water.

Through 2019, 69% of Levi’s® bottoms were made Water<Less. But that’s not enough. Water scarcity is becoming one of the world’s greatest challenges. So we invited 20 competitors to our Eureka Innovation Lab and shared all of our water-saving practices with them. We open-sourced our Water<Less® innovation for others in an effort to learn and improve. Together, we can shift the industry by using less water and making a positive global impact.

Zara

Plans to make 100% of its cotton, linen, and polyester sustainable by 2025 — a big move for fast fashion.

With a holistic approach, they are working at each and every stage of our value chain, from how they design our products, choose the materials and produce the garments, all the way to logistics, and the design and management of our warehouses and stores. They are helping to extend the life of garments through repair, resale and used clothing donation programmes. Meeting their sustainability goals presents a challenge that demands close collaboration at every level, including supply chain partners, environmental experts, international organisations, trade unions and NGOs. Their aim is to foster genuine change within the industry for a more circular future.

H&M Conscious Collection

Invests in organic fabrics, closed-loop production, and garment recycling programs — a small but necessary step forward. These shifts aren’t just good PR — they’re signs of a much-needed evolution. Fashion is waking up. H&M is actively pursuing various sustainability initiatives, focusing on material sourcing, circularity, and reducing environmental impact. They aim for 100% recycled or sustainably sourced materials by 2030, with a target of 30% recycled materials by 2025. H&M also prioritizes renewable energy, with 96% of their electricity coming from renewable sources in 2024 and a goal of 100% by 2030. 

Sustainability = Survival (For the Planet and the People)

🌍 For the Earth:

• Less waste, water, and carbon emissions
• Biodegradable fabrics and natural dyes
• Preservation of biodiversity and ecosystems

💛 For the Makers:

• Ethical wages, safe working environments
• Skill recognition and intergenerational survival
• Revival of ancient crafts and regional economies

🛍️ For You, the Consumer:

• Timeless pieces that outlive trends
• Higher quality and comfort
• Emotional satisfaction in wearing stories, not just styles
• A wardrobe that reflects not just who you are — but what you stand for

Celebrities Who Walk the Talk

Slow fashion isn’t just a cause for activists — it’s being championed by public figures who want to bring real change:

Deepika Padukone

Often seen wearing handloom sarees by Indian designers. Her wedding look was a celebration of traditional crafts, rooted in heritage. She has often been seen championing sustainable fashion, whether by donning organic fabrics or supporting brands that prioritize ethical production. From red carpets to global events, she seamlessly blends timeless fashion with conscious choices.

Alia Bhatt

Alia Bhatt has actively promoted sustainability through her eco-conscious kids’ clothing brand, Ed-a-Mamma. She’s a firm believer in making responsible fashion choices, often seen supporting ethical brands and advocating for organic fabrics. Her vibrant, youthful energy makes her a true inspiration for the next generation of sustainable fashionistas. he has been spotted repeating outfits on multiple occasions, including her wedding saree at the National Film Awards. Alia has also re-worn her mehendi lehenga at a Diwali party and a dress from her “Darlings” promotions for a baby shower. This practice is part of her efforts to promote a more sustainable approach to fashion. 

Emma Watson

An international face of ethical fashion. From red carpets to campaigns, she only wears eco-certified, Fair Trade, or repurposed designs. Emma Watson is a prominent advocate for sustainable fashion, actively promoting ethical and eco-friendly clothing choices. She frequently wears sustainable outfits on the red carpet and uses her platform to encourage others to make conscious fashion decisions. Her efforts include supporting brands that prioritize recycled materials, zero-waste production, and cruelty-free practices, and she even has a dedicated Instagram account (@the_press_tour) showcasing her sustainable fashion looks. 

Sonam Kapoor

Sonam Kapoor is a strong advocate for sustainable fashion, often seen embracing ethical and eco-friendly clothing choices in her personal style and promoting them within the Bollywood industry. She champions slow fashion, emphasizing the importance of reusing, repeating, and re-wearing clothes, and supporting local artisans and vintage pieces. Known for repeating outfits and styling vintage Indian textiles with global aesthetics. A loud and proud advocate of Indian artisans.

Rana Daggubati

The Baahubali actor isn’t just known for his powerful screen presence but also for his dedication to sustainability. A true advocate for the environment, Rana actively promotes eco-friendly living, making conscious choices in fashion, business, and daily life. He supports ethical brands and encourages reducing waste while embracing eco-friendly alternatives.

Dia Mirza

A UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador, Dia Mirza has been leading the charge for sustainability in India. Whether it’s promoting ethical brands, supporting eco-friendly initiatives, or advocating for eco-conscious fabrics, she has been a strong voice in the industry. Dia’s wardrobe choices reflect her passion for the planet, favoring organic and responsibly sourced materials.

At Mantavya Banaras: Slow is Sacred

For us, slow isn’t just how we work — it’s what we believe in.

• We partner directly with Banarasi weavers
• Each saree is handwoven, not machine-made
• We focus on limited pieces, not endless production
• We repurpose our leftover fabric into scrunchies, potlis, bookmarks & packaging
• We choose transparency, tradition, and time-tested value over trend cycles

At Mantavya, your saree isn’t “stock.” It’s story.

Conclusion: A Saree That Honors the Past and Shapes the Future

The next time you buy a garment — ask yourself:

Who made this?

What did it cost — not just in money, but in time, labor, water, and dignity?

Will I treasure this — or toss it next season?

Slow fashion is not about deprivation. It’s about liberation — from impulse, waste, and harm.

It’s about choosing wisely, ethically, and beautifully.

And when you choose a Banarasi saree from Mantavya, you’re choosing:

🌱 The planet

🧑‍🎨 The artisan

👩‍👧 The legacy

👗 And the slow, soulful elegance that never goes out of style

Join the #SlowFashion movement. Wear a story, not a statistic.

Mantavya Banaras — Where every thread is sacred.