Apparel September 2019 Apparel September 2019 issue | Page 36

REPORT
Vouching for Sustainable Fashion
Project SU.RE, a joint Initiative by The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI)
and IMG Reliance, is poised to be the Indian Apparel Industry’s biggest commitment to
Sustainable Fashion.
Lakmé Fashion Week, for its Winter Festive
2019 edit, hosted the Sustainable Fashion Day
in Mumbai, on August 22, 2019. In keeping with
this, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, the Union Minister
of Textiles, launched Project SU.RE, an initiative
collectively helmed by CMAI, India’s Largest
Apparel Industry Association, and IMG Reliance,
which has been leading the Sustainable Fashion
movement in the Country.
Joining the Hon’ble Textile Minister during the
launch were CMAI, the United Nations in India,
and IMG Reliance, the Organisers of Lakmé
Fashion Week.
Project SU.RE is a commitment made by
those from India’s Apparel Industry to create a
sustainable pathway in Indian Fashion. SU.RE,
which stands for ‘Sustainable Resolution’, is a
firm oath on the part of the Industry to move
towards Fashion that contributes to a cleaner
Environment and fairer Ecosystem.
Addressing the gathering, Smt. Smriti Irani said,
“As a proud Indian, I stand here today to witness
history. I would like to tell the United Nations that
this has become possible due to the Initiative of
the Industry, CMAI, IMG Reliance, and Lakmé
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I APPAREL I
September 2019
Fashion Week. We are celebrating the 150th Birth
Anniversary year of Mahatma Gandhi, who asked
us to be the change we wish to see in the World.
The sustainability resolution being adopted today
is reflective of that very thought of the Mahatma.
“Never before have 16 of the biggest Brands
of India come together to save the Earth. The
combined Industry Value of the 16 Signatories
to the Resolution is around R30,000 Crore.
Everything we consume, we have to consume
responsibly. The step taken today makes for
not only responsible business but also smart
business. The Sustainability Report 2018 states
that sustainability is the fourth criterion considered
by consumers whilst choosing Products. I
am grateful that the UN in India is also here to
Support this endeavour. Best Wishes for this
amalgamation and confluence of what is purely
Indian in thought.”
Mr Rahul Mehta, President, CMAI, said, “In
the past, several products and processes of
our Industry were not Environment-friendly. This
project is a tremendously responsible and timely
step taken by the Apparel Industry of India,
especially the Signatories, to commit to move