Category Sustainable Living

India’s Footwear Industry: The Necessity to Excess Imbalance

AGRA: Footwear Capital of India ?

India’s footwear industry has travelled an extraordinary journey over the last 50 years, evolving from functional, locally-made shoes to a booming mass-market driven by fashion, trends, and lifestyle aspirations. Today, India’s per-capita footwear consumption is approximately 1.7 pairs per person per year, far lower than developed markets, where it averages 6 - 7 pairs per person. This stark gap underscores the immense potential for growth, with industry projections suggesting that domestic demand could rise to up to 9 billion pairs by 2030 if consumption patterns converge toward global norms – but do we want this? Is India prepared for this market penetration? Still children and elderly from disadvantaged and rural communities are without proper footwear? Still the labour in industrial sector works without footwear?

How Recycling Can Address Our Mindfulness Gap In Fashion

As we witness the complexities of modern life, it's becoming increasingly clear that our habits and consumption behavior have had a profound impact on the planet. The alarming state of our environment has crossed the threshold of a wake-up call, and scientists and activists are urging us to take urgent action. In this critical moment, it's essential to rethink how we consume, especially when it comes to fashion.

Fashion has evolved for the worse to represent more than just individual character, confidence, style, personality, and ideology – it has become insatiable fancy. However, this shift has come at a significant cost. Fast fashion has taken over retail stores, demographics, and wardrobes, leaving behind a trail of waste. India, once celebrated for its rich heritage and diverse textiles, has succumbed to the allure of fast fashion.