My admiration of actor, Jane Fonda increased multiple-fold as she stepped on stage to close one of the biggest events in the film industry, the Oscars 2020, in a red recycled gown.

For most celebrities, this is unheard of, as the self-proclaimed “fashion police” looks down upon repeating outfits. But how many dresses are too many? Why would you spend so much money on an outfit that you would wear only once? Fortunately, celebrities across the world like Jane Fonda, Emma Watson, Dia Mirza and Richa Chadha are leading a sustainable fashion movement.

Here is how you can be a part of this movement on your big event day – whether you’re dressing the bride at a wedding, the hostess at a corporate function, or a volunteer at a market promotion.

1. Choosing the right kind of material can have a huge impact on the planet. Fabrics such as linen, organic cotton, ethically sourced silk, sustainable wool are some of the wonderful natural options for designer clothes, besides many other alternatives like hemp, orange and pineapple fibers. Recycled polyester, made from PET bottles, is being increasingly used in manufacturing items like T-shirts and sportswear. It is a great way to extend the life of single-use plastic and to prevent it from ending up in a landfill.

When Smita Soni, director of operations and partner of Ashish N Soni, learnt about the process to make viscose, she stopped using or buying that fabric. “We are a slow fashion label, meaning that our designs are created to last for years, making them much more sustainable. It is only due to the number of photographs taken on social media that people do not want to be seen repeating an outfit. This should instead become a mark of pride on how much you enjoy a certain design or designer.”

2. Whether you want to make an impact from on the stage, behind a camera or make heads turn at a fancy party, you don’t need to break the bank to buy a new designer dress for every occasion. Innovative businesses such as Stage 3 and Rent An Attire offer outfits on rent. You can select according to your requirement and get them fitted to your size.

India’s most awarded live anchor, the multi-talented Geetika Ganju Dhar has to create several different looks to match her many avatars. She shares her powerful green mantra of wear, repeat and rejoice!

“I truly don’t think too highly of the notion that professionals in the public eye need to adorn a different attire every time they step out to work or play. I have stopped buying clothes, I prefer to engage a stylist who brings in a costume, I wear it and then she returns it. There’s a black power suit that I have worn umpteen times at leading events over the last year. It makes me look good, feel good, and happy in the knowledge that I am not adding to the carbon footprint of an already over-burdened earth. I am primarily hired for the skill required and for projects that rely heavily on the content of my speech. So, as long as I am wearing something that aligns with the client’s brief, it is good to go.”

3. Make a style statement by going vintage. Go through your grandparents’ or parents’ wardrobe to find that dapper outfit that contemporary styles just cannot match. Speak with your preferred designer or tailor on how to give new life to old clothes, and when you just can’t wear them anymore, turn your favourites into a keepsake memory quilt, bedcover, cushion cover or face mask.

Patches of formal shirts sewn together to make a vibrant bedspread by Cornucopia Concepts

In India, we fortunately have a great culture of re-use and don’t simply toss out old clothes. We’re used to passing on to family, to domestic help or to charity. We’re used to exchanging old clothes for new crockery (or does that not happen anymore?). Let’s rediscover the sustainable practices our parents and grandparents followed, so that our children may have a better future.