Fempowerment Foundation and Gingerblu showcase sustainable Indian craftsmanship in collaboration with global designers, sparking dialogue on ethical fashion and women’s empowerment
Our Bureau
New York, NY
The Fempowerment Foundation, a global organization committed to social impact, sustainability, and the empowerment of socio-economically disadvantaged populations in India, in collaboration with Asia Society New York and Gingerblu, presented “Threads Of Sustainability: Fashion, Ethics, Traditions, and the Environment” on September 5, 2024 at the Asia Society Museum. The evening included a panel discussion, classical Indian dance performance, and fashion show featuring dresses made in India by Marchesa, Anna Sui, Betsey Johnson, and sustainable designers Krishna Mehta, Iro Iro, and Gingerblu, with jewelry provided by Maalicious.
The evening was hosted by Rachel Cooper, Director of Performing Arts and Culture as Diplomacy for the Asia Society and began with a thought-provoking panel discussion on sustainability, fashion, and the role of global artisans and fashion designers. The discussion centered on the ongoing tension between a fast-moving fashion industry and a slower, more ethical emphasis on the health and environmental impacts of the global fashion industry.
The esteemed panelists included Carmen Artigas, a climate-positive fashion consultant and biocultural researcher, CFDA member Sandy Dalal, a Creative Director and Brand Development Consultant in the luxury fashion space, and Ajay Shrivastav, Creative Director of Gingerblu and co-founder of the Fempowerment Foundation.
“Sustainability is about sustaining human life. It is a challenge for families to live a life with dignity, for a woman to buy a pill when she is ill, clean water for her family, and access to basic menstrual care. True sustainability means empowering families to live with hope and respect.” says Shrivastav.
The fashion show began with a classical Indian dance performance by Jeeno Joseph and Suhana The performance of Raag Maalkun is an ancient Indian song sung by Parvati, the divine feminine energy, to calm down Shiva, the divine masculine who was doing Taandav, a dance of destruction, in anger after his lover immolated herself because she didn’t get approval from father for the union. Shrivastav says “We have enough destruction in the world. We need to invoke the Parvati to bring more peace and balance between masculine and feminine energies present in humanity”.
The fashion show was choreographed by Ajay Shrivastav and featured a range of apparel pieces by Gingerblu, made from hand-woven, hand-printed textiles from various techniques including Batik, Ajrak and block printing as well as tie dye using natural and Azo free dyes, along with piece dyed processes in natural Indigo dyes. The textiles used were natural fibers like Kala Cotton, Hemp etc. The show also had gowns and cocktail dresses beaded by Indian Artisans from Marchesa, Anna Sui, and Betsey Johnson, as well as sustainable brands Gingerblu, Krishna Mehta, Bharat I, 23N 69E, and Iro Iro.
The event, proudly brought to you by Gingerblu and “The Women of India, For The World,” included a one-day exhibit of Indian textiles, beading, block prints, and samples made in nine different states of India. Gingerblu partners with Fempowerment to use skilled artisans to create textiles and apparel. This approach not only ensures the environmental sustainability of the textiles but also promotes social and economic sustainability by empowering women, preserving cultural heritage, and creating a viable business model that benefits all stakeholders in the supply chain and the ongoing pursuit of a more sustainable fashion industry.
Fempowerment has made significant strides in empowering women through education and employment opportunities. The organization has successfully graduated 60 women, with an additional 180 currently in training. Upon completion of the 6-month Master’s program, Fempowerment assists these women in securing jobs or establishing their own manufacturing businesses. The ultimate goal is to create a factory environment that accommodates the unique needs of women, offering flexible schedules that prioritize their familial responsibilities, including obligations to in-laws, husbands, and children. This approach aims to create a work environment that truly understands and supports the multifaceted roles women play in their families and communities.
