New Delhi: The Development Commissioner (Handlooms), under the Ministry of Textiles, has launched Weave the Future, India’s first textile upcycling festival, at Dilli Haat. The event, which will run until February 9, aims to promote sustainable fashion and raise awareness about textile waste reduction.
Serving as a precursor to India Tex 2025, one of the country’s largest global textile trade fairs, the festival provides a platform for artisans, designers, and consumers to engage in discussions on sustainability, circular fashion, and ethical textile production. The event features brand interactions, art exhibitions, and hands-on workshops on sewing and knitting to encourage sustainable textile practices.
A key highlight of the festival is a thematic installation divided into three sections—Handmade, Recycled, and Upcycled. The Handmade section showcases fabrics crafted from handspun yarns and natural dyes, while the Recycled section focuses on textiles repurposed by breaking them down into raw materials before reconstruction. The Upcycled section demonstrates the creative reuse of discarded garments, fabric offcuts, and surplus materials.
The initiative showcases 40 brands driving eco-conscious craftsmanship, encouraging more businesses to adopt responsible practices while raising awareness among buyers. The festival also emphasizes the 9R principles—Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle, Repurpose, Regenerate, Rethink, and Restore—guiding consumers toward sustainable textile consumption.
Several exhibitors at the event have been officially recognized as Upcycled Textile Manufacturers by the Textile Committee of the Ministry of Textiles, reinforcing efforts to establish a structured system for upcycled textile products in India.