Sustainability is the key to change the world.
We at The Green Side of Pink always strive to have the young audience to express their take on Sustainability and how they can help change the world. Every now and then we see so many new talents showcasing their take on Fashion. On this occasion, we got to interview Charvi Venkat, 25 . She is from India, specialized in menswear design from Domus Academy, Milano. She shared her journey, her projects, the key to sustainability and more with our team.
How did you come up with the ideas for your final collection?
Charvi : “Conceal and carry on” the name used to Christen my Graduate menswear collection 2 days
before the Fashion graduate Italia show, perfectly describes months of reflection. It was both emotional and visual that shaped itself during Covid and the series of lockdowns that ensued. Making the big move from India to pursue my masters in Italy amidst the chaos of the pandemic, I had to get it together. I noticed how the very idea of protection takes on varying forms and metaphors, as a physical manifestation, an emotional bond, a fleeting
intuition and sometimes a toxic ideal. I wanted to deconstruct this emotion and translate it
through my garments.
It takes a lot of homework to produce and showcase a collection. What went into the research for this sustainable collection?
Charvi : During the research process, I began to draw parallels between a tactical form of protection as seen in military tents like the German Zeltbahn and how WW2 soldiers carry them around by wearing them as garment. Also, it was more intuitive form of protection seen in many baby-wearing cultures around the world by studying different archetypes, wraps and slings used to carry infants translating them into volume, details and materiality.
Gestures of carrying, wrapping and tying are translated on garments tactically as well as emotionally just as we are bound to our roles in society.
We were intrigued by your key use of sustainability and the elements. How did that come about?
Charvi : Throughout this entire process, sustainability was a key area of focus for me. It is a norm that goes without saying, it was sometimes nerve-wracking. It was mostly educational and
immensely fruitful to pay special attention to the source of my fabrics, talking to different
suppliers, understanding what materials and processes exist currently in the market and how best
I can incorporate within the scope of my collection.
How easy was it to co-operate the ideas into a collection being from India and now in Italy?
Charvi : The Italian city of Prato has a long tradition in the textile industry and has been a historic center for recycling and regeneration of textile and fiber waste. Particularly wool that creates new high quality and low environmental impact materials. The industry is organized amongst mostly family-owned small and medium enterprises that are highly skilled and specialize in one or more aspects of the production process. The garments in the collection feature Italian
made certified organic cottons, recycled polyester, technical fabrics dyed with waterless
technology, deadstock textiles and recycled cashmere padding sponsored by CashPad, an
innovative Prato-based company.
The collection is fresh and inspiring. What is that one thing that you have concluded post the release?
Charvi : One big takeaway for me from the experience is that it is okay to be imperfectly sustainable. If the pandemic has revealed anything, it is that the fashion system is in severe need of a reset, one that we as designers, consumers and members of this amazing community can bring to fruition through our conscious and consistent actions.
