In a significant move to demystify the complex language of eco-conscious fashion, The Sustainable Fashion Dictionary was unveiled last month during the prestigious Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI annual showcase. This comprehensive guide arrives at a crucial time when sustainability conversations in fashion have noticeably faded from mainstream discourse.
Bridging the Knowledge Gap in Fashion
Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic prompted many in the fashion industry to pledge greater environmental consciousness, the term "sustainability" has been both overused and misunderstood. According to industry experts, the conversation around eco-friendly fashion has diminished partly because truly understanding it requires deep knowledge across multiple disciplines.
"We noticed a real gap," explains Jaspreet Chandok, group vice president of Reliance Brands and head of Lakmé Fashion Week. "Everyone was talking about sustainability, but very few truly understood what the terms meant. The same words were being used differently, which led to confusion and became a barrier to progress."
From A to Z: Decoding Fashion's Eco-Language
The dictionary, curated by Darshana Gajare, head of sustainability at Lakmé Fashion Week, features almost 200 carefully explained terms ranging from A for Agri-Waste Textiles to Z for Zero-Emission Fashion Factories.
Among the meticulously defined concepts is "kala cotton," described as "a genetically pure, indigenous cotton variety from India, known for its resilience and low water needs. Grown without pesticides, it produces a strong, coarse and stretchable fiber, making it ideal for handwoven textiles and denim."
Another entry, "ocean plastic recycling," is defined as "the innovative process of transforming plastic waste collected from oceans into wearable garments, footwear and accessories. This approach not only addresses the pervasive issue of marine pollution but also offers eco-friendly alternatives to traditional textiles."
The thoughtfully produced book, printed on recycled denim and cotton waste, even includes a "Villains" section that highlights problematic fashion terms like hide waste, pollution, and exploitation.
Industry Response and Future Potential
Early responses from industry insiders have been overwhelmingly positive. Anjali Patel Mehta of Verandah, India's first Butterfly Mark-certified luxury brand, expressed enthusiasm: "I wish this was there a decade ago when I started. I would have saved a good five years in learning and understanding sustainability."
However, concerns about accessibility remain. Many designers and retailers contacted for independent feedback hadn't even heard of the dictionary. Chandok addresses this: "The first print run was shared with industry stakeholders, designers, educators, sustainability advocates, and partners who can amplify its use. We also plan to make it available digitally to ensure wider reach and accessibility across India and beyond."
Aria Parikh of Ensemble, one of India's leading multi-designer stores, sees particular value for consumers: "People vote with their wallets. If consumers are more aware and know what to look for, it will force changes in production." She also highlights the dictionary's potential to expose greenwashing practices that have become increasingly common in fashion marketing.
The Road Ahead for Sustainable Fashion
Like most reference works, The Sustainable Fashion Dictionary will require regular updates. Some industry professionals noted the absence of certain certifications like the Butterfly Mark in this first edition.
Parikh offers perspective: "For a Version 1, this is incredible. But I would love to see more versions, perhaps one for consumers, one for producers. Sometimes fashion as an industry can be critical. It doesn't have to be perfect. And if we keep waiting for perfect definitions, there may not be a planet left to save."
In her foreword, Orsola De Castro, author of Loved Clothes Last and co-founder of Fashion Revolution, emphasizes that "sustainability doesn't have to be about great big sweeping changes. It can be about small incremental commitments carried on over time."
As the fashion industry moves into 2026, this dictionary represents a crucial step toward replacing buzzwords with shared language and collective responsibility. It may not answer every question about sustainable fashion, but it provides the clarity and starting point that the Indian fashion ecosystem has desperately needed.
