Reimagining A Future With Endless Possibilities For Fashion

As we move into a world of two seemingly distinct paths of fashion, Pritika Rao explores whether the two have to be exclusive to each other

- Pritika Rao

The lines between real and virtual have blurred with NFTs and digital fashion, and we're reimagining a future with endless possibilities for fashion. Simultaneously, an awareness of sustainable practices has pushed us toward thrifting and mindful consumption. But how do we compare them? Let us count the ways.

On the face of it, NFTs and sustainable fashion seem as different as chalk and cheese. And yet there are surprising similarities. Giving clothes a second chance at life and creating them in a whole new dimension, are both contrarian, futuristic approaches. In these two futures, fashion's landscape continues to serve as a means of escapism and expression but is less susceptible to fleeting trends and 'throw-away' consumerism. Industry pioneer Manish Malhotra believes that NFTs will cement their place as a cultural mainstay, with the potential to integrate Indian history with their inherent futuristic nature. "I believe that modern innovations stem from the story of heritage textiles and craft. Our origins are so strong that modernising the Indian handloom does not necessarily mean propelling it to conform to modern times. But instead, merging the traditions, the innovation, and the impact of the handcrafted creation with the identity of today's globalised generation," Malhotra believes.