J.D. BIRLA INSTITUITEA UNIT OF VIDYA MANDIR SOCIETY(affiliated to Jadavpur University)Department of Textiles & Fashion TechnologyPress ReleaseJDBI Graduating Fashion Show Kaleidoscope 2024 in collaboration with Indo British Scholars Association (IBSA) & British Council
Kolkata, 27th April 2024: J D Birla Institute in collaboration with Indo British Scholars
Association (IBSA) & British Council hosted the illustrious fashion show KALEIDOSCOPE
2024 on 26 April 2024 at the Eastside Pavilion, Nicco Park, Kolkata which showcases
sustainable fashion with each ensemble telling a unique story of creativity, sustainability and
cultural renaissance.
The event was graced by the presence of Chief Guest, Kiran Uttam Ghosh, Fashion Designer,
Guest of Honor, Alison Barrett MBE, Director, British Council India, Vasusri Jhaver,
Member Governing Council of Schools under Vidya Mandir Society and an Educationist,
Hugh Boylan, Australian Consul General, Nicolas Facino, Director Alliance, Elizabeth Hill,
Director American Center , Anne Vasquez, Acting Consul General US Consulate, Atri
Bhattacharya, Additional Chief Secretary, Sunderbans, Govt. of West Bengal and the
members of our co-host, Rajive Kaul, Chairman, Presidents Council, IBSA and Chairman,
Nicco Engineering Services Ltd; and Founder & Promoter of Nicco Parks and Resorts
Limited, Subrata Paul, President, IBSA and Director, BTL EPC Ltd and Advisor, Simplex
Infrastructure Ltd., Debanjan Chakrabarti, Director British Council East and Northeast India,
Reetasri Ghosh, Chair Programs Council IBSA and Educational Coach and Leadership
Development Facilitator along with Major General V N Chaturvedi (Retd.), Secretary
General, Vidya Mandir Society, Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner to
Kolkata and Deepali Singhee, Principal, J.D. Birla Institute and the jury Prof. (Dr.) Bhavna
Chanana, Director and Professor, Amity School of Fashion Technology, Mumbai, Ravi
Bhalotia, Director, Aarbee and Prerna Mundra, Founder, Parfait whose unwavering support
contributed to the event's grandeur.
showcases how fashion can be fabulous while also being sustainable and kind to the mother
earth. Our designers have upcycled old vintage clothing with more contemporary styles and
have used organic fibres and waste materials to create eco-friendly stylish looks. This justifies
the selection of the central theme, ‘ecofash’.
Ensemble-1: Sunset Mosaic (Beachwear adventure in patchwork from waste)
For designers who are committed to sustainability, the journey begins with piles of
abandoned textiles, neglected scraps, and forgotten items. Instead of viewing these objects
as waste, our designers have seen them as untapped potential, waiting to be transformed
into something extraordinary with an objective to lessen the fashion industry’s
environmental footprint. The inspiration for making garments out of waste materials is
deeply entrenched in the values of sustainability, creativity, and resourcefulness. The
designers have combined environmental concern and artistic ingenuity to produce an
incredible collection of beachwear ranging from shorts, shirts, short dresses, sarong,
kaftans, off- shoulder & A-line dresses utilizing the patchwork technique. Whether you’re
lounging by the pool, strolling down the beachfront, or dancing under the stars at a beach
bonfire, this patchwork beachwear collection in colourful prints is sure to turn heads.
Ensemble-2: Retrofitted Renaissance (A modern circular twist to tradition)
In the world of fashion, creativity must integrate with sustainability, in
groundbreaking designs that can captivate both the eye and conscience. In this spirit, this
collection is a re-invention journey that demonstrates how new life can be infused into
abandoned materials to create repurposed couture. The ‘Shirt’, which is the cornerstone of
practically all wardrobes, has been used as a canvas for artistic reinterpretation to produce
high fashion garments. Using the principles of upcycling, old shirts have been
methodically dis-assembled and the fabric pieces repurposed to produce exquisite patterns
for western wear. From tailored silhouettes to voluminous drapes in rich wine, emerald and
dark blue colours using satin fabric, each pattern represents the concept of modern couture
while paying homage to its humble origins. Each outfit serves as a reminder of the power
of reinvention, encouraging viewers to examine the value of discarded materials and adopt
a more sustainable lifestyle. The avant-garde style has been enhanced with embellishments
made of various materials such as leather, sequins, and beads.
Ensemble-3: Royal Threads (Reinterpreting the Rajputana through Benarasi craftsmanship)
The Sari is the most iconic piece of Indian traditional clothing that holds immense
sentimental value and is culturally significant across communities in India. However, as
changing fashion trends of the new generation has shifted towards more ‘easy to wear
clothing, the Sari is gradually losing its connectivity with customs and traditions. With no
room in the GenX wardrobe, the old sari heirlooms are lost. Upcycling old saris into new
garments, is a celebration of history, creativity, and sustainability. By recreating with these
timeless textiles, modern student-designers have acknowledged and honoured historical
workmanship while embracing future opportunities for revival and diversification. To
appeal to modern sensibilities, the collection reinterprets traditional Rajputi elegance and
silhouettes like lehengas, anarkalis, and bandh galas with modern cuts and designs. Rich
palette of jewel stones like deep red, royal blue, emerald green and regal purple that are
reminiscent of the Rajputana have been featured in the collection. The aura and grandeur
of the royal Rajputs has been recreated by using vintage Banarasi silk brocades collected
from old fabric-scarp dealers.
Ensemble-4: Biodiversity (Fashion extravaganza from sustainable new-age fibres)
In the fast-paced world of fashion, the inspiration for items made from sustainable fibres
stems from a sense of responsibility and respect for Mother Earth. As the fashion industry
embraces sustainability, designers are utilizing eco-friendly fibres as a canvas for their
creations, drawing inspiration from nature and the pressing need for change. This
collection has been inspired by a goal to reduce the environmental impact of the textile
industry. Designers have used a range of sustainable-fibre fabrics that are renewable,
biodegradable, and ethically sourced from biodiversity like bamboo, eucalyptus, aloevera,
orange, lotus, soybean, milk and banana. Flowing dresses, trousers, skirts and other pieces
exudes seamless sophistication and eco-friendliness, inviting the wearer to embrace
comfort and style that are in harmony with nature. The collection has been created to
inspire and empower audiences to make more ecologically conscious fashion choices.
Ensemble-5: Bottled Swagger (Sustainable symphony of stylish jackets from RPET fabric)
Recycled polyethylene terephthalate also commonly known as RPET is made from post-
consumer plastic bottles. It provides an appealing solution to the concerns of textile waste
and resource depletion. By recycling and repurposing discarded materials, we can lessen
our dependency on virgin resources, while simultaneously reducing the adverse
environmental effect of textile production. The benefits of recycled textiles are numerous,
ranging from lowering carbon emissions to reducing water consumption, and they provide
a path towards a more regenerative future. Beyond the glitz of the runway, this collection
thus narrates a deeper story of social and environmental responsibility. It inspires a shift
towards more sustainable practices in the fashion industry. From elegant lines to bold
designs, each jacket demonstrates that sustainability and elegance do not have to be
mutually exclusive. From fitted trench coats to cozy puffer jackets, each pattern has been
made to precision highlighting the distinctive properties of RPET fabric.
Ensemble-6: Elements (Riches from waste)
Inspired by the premise that true riches are found in resourcefulness rather than
extravagance, “Elements: Riches from Waste” emerges as a celebration of sustainability
and the transformational power of creativity to convert trash into treasure. From simple
wires and damaged motherboard components to discarded packaging and plastic
fragments, designers have discovered a treasure trove of beauty waiting to be discovered in
the trash around them. This combination emits a powerful zest for creativity, reflects the
transformative power of sustainability, and combines fashion inspired from the elements of
nature. Jacket made from reused wrappers gleams in yellow and orange, representing the
‘fire’ element; dress carved from a discarded motherboard capturing the sense of the
‘earth’ element; clothing made from recycled plastics capturing the ethereal element of
‘air’ billowing with grace; gowns decorated with wires resembling the cascading flow of
‘water’ in elegant ripples have been showcased. Plastic, once derided for its environmental
impact, has been reinvented as a symbol of wealth and extravagance in the form of high-
fashion statement pieces using creative procedures and avant-garde designs.
The four year B.Sc. (Hons.) course in Textiles & Fashion Technology is spread over eight
semesters under the newly introduced National Education Policy and focuses on a variety of
subjects from three major domains: textile technology; fashion and textile design; and
garment manufacturing and marketing. The course has a judicious mix of theoretical and
practical subjects with inclusion of research based papers so that the students can cultivate
their creativity, power of thinking independently, and with originality. Students are thus not
only taught the theoretical parts of the disciplines, but also exposed to the practical, skill-
based, and creative components of their particular subjects. The curriculum covers diverse
range of subjects like fibre science; textile processing, dyeing, printing & finishing; textile
testing and quality control; fabric manufacture and weaving; pattern making, sewing and
draping; garment manufacturing technology; fashion design; textile design; CAD; marketing
& entrepreneurship and traditional textiles of India among others. The course’s distinguishing
feature is its regular field trips and a yearly education excursion to develop practical
experience and understanding. Students receive internship training and placement
opportunities. To promote entrepreneurship students work with rural artisans to create
diversified products with an aim to foster livelihood for the craftsmen while also safeguarding
the endangered Indian handicrafts. Additionally the programs also facilitate self learning and
independent working through seminars, term papers and projects. Some of the TFT alumni
are well placed. India Today and the Week selected the programme as the best in
Kolkata under the private institute category consistently over the last few years.
The Department boasts of state-of-the-art and well equipped laboratories on pattern
making & sewing; draping and garment construction; dyeing, printing & processing; weaving
studio; CAD studio; design studio; textile and garment testing and analysis, etc. The library
has an appreciable collection of over 3000 books on textiles, some of which are rare
collections. The department also has a resource centre on traditional textiles of India.
The course offers students with ample opportunities to assess their abilities, aptitudes and
interest and introduces them to varied jobs and careers. It prepares them for jobs as
merchandisers, quality control managers, designers and promotes entrepreneurial skills for
self-employment. The department’s alumni are well placed in several garment and textile
units.
With an aim to provide industry-oriented education, equip students with the ability to
meet the challenges of this dynamic industry and develop entrepreneurial skills, students are encouraged to put-up a fashion show every year to showcase their creativity and talents
earned during their three year journey at the Institute.
Central Theme: EcoFash
The Clothing & Textile Industry is one of the most Globalized Industries in the world in terms
of the flow of goods, services & people and it contributes $2.4 trillion to global
manufacturing employing 300 million people worldwide across the value chain. Valued at $
3.0 trillion & producing 56 million tons of clothing every year, the textile industry is expected
to expand by 60% by 2030. Despite being one of the sectors with the quickest growth and
providing employment to millions, the fashion industry is viewed as one of the largest
polluters globally. The apparel industry is still the second-biggest industrial polluter after oil,
contributing 10% of the world's carbon emissions. The industry uses a lot of resources, such
as fossil fuels, water, chemicals, heavy metals and others, and generates more than 92 million
tonnes of waste annually. Fast fashion exacerbates this issue.
Rising income levels has led to an increase in consumption of textiles across the globe.
Globalization with increased production of clothing at lower costs has aggravated this
demand. Buying more than what is actually needed – leads to increased discarding of clothes
and generation of waste. Fast fashion describes rapid and inexpensive production of
fashionable clothing using low-cost materials and processes, which promotes both frequent
purchases and eventual disposal. In response to the desire to follow fashion trends, clothing is
worn less frequently and for shorter periods of time before being thrown. On the one hand,
excessive production generates “dead stock” of unsold clothing that is frequently thrown
away in landfills or burned, raising pollution levels and straining resources. On the other hand
frequent trashing of clothes leads to waste generation. This both overproduction and
overconsumption of clothing results in generation of significant amount of waste that ends up
in landfills, endangering the environment.
Average clothing purchased by an individual in a year 13 kg
Water used annually by the garment industry 93,000 billion cubic metres
(equivalent to water required by 5 million people)
Water used in cotton processing for a single t-shirt 2,700 litres of water
(equivalent to 70 showers)
Water consumed by one denim jeans 7,000 litres of water
GHGs emission by apparel & footwear industry 8%
CO2 emission by the textile industry 1.7 billion tonnes
Garbage produced annually by the textile industry 2.1 billion tonnes
Textiles burned or buried every second Worth a garbage truck (only 20% of this is
recycled)
Eco-friendly fashion is a social and cultural movement that attempts to reduce
the environmental impact of the textile industry both in terms of production and consumption.
Below is a list of some interesting strategies to reduce the detrimental effects of the textiles
industry and arrest fast fashion.
2. Reduction of waste through upcycling and recycling techniques, which gives new life to
existing materials thereby lengthening the product life and eases the demand for virgin
raw materials.
3. Use of 3D printing technology to reduce waste by printing only what is necessary.
4. Cutting down on waste through use of immersive fashion, virtual/augmented (AR/VR)
reality and bespoke virtual tailoring, which allows clothes to be viewed in real time
using made-to-fit technology and customized to personalized measurements doing away
with unethical fashion practices like overproduction and unsatisfactory returns.
5. Endorsing the concept of renting clothing to satisfy the desire to wear designer wear
without feeling guilty of another purchase, or having to feel obligated for repeating the
same dress again, or the hassle of proper upkeep.
1. Piñatex is a nonwoven fabric made from discarded pineapple leaves.
2. Banana is made from the leftover stems of the banana plant and is one of the
strongest natural fibre in the world.
3. Bamboo having 40% more absorption capacity than cotton is made from bamboo
stems and leaves.
4. Orange is made from residual materials, such as peels from juiced oranges.
5. Lotus is made from leftover lotus stems after harvesting.
6. Aloe vera is made from aloe vera peal through a closed-loop viscose process.
7. Cork is harvested from a bark of the oak tree.
8. Sisal an environmentally benign alternative to glass fibres and asbestos is obtained
from Agave Sisalana.
9. Sabra silk with wrinkle-free properties is made from cacti.
10. Spider silk is a protein fibre spun by spiders.
11. Bettle is made from the stalks of stinging nettle.
12. Soy is produced using soy protein derived from the hulls of soybeans.
13. Milk is made from the casein found in milk.
14. Econyl is a nylon fabric made from waste fabric, ocean plastics and discarded
fishing nets.
15. rPET is created by melting down old plastic and re-spinning it.
J.D. Birla Institute (JDBI) is a private, unaided institute of higher learning which is affiliated
to the Jadavpur University since 1963. In acknowledgement of its continuous quest for
excellence and the exemplary standards it has set and maintained through the decades, JDBI
was awarded the highest possible grading of “A” by National Assessment and Accreditation
Council (NAAC) in 2010. Several rating organisations, including India Today, The Week,
and Times Magazine, have placed the Institute as one of the country's top higher education
institutions. The Institute has also earned awards and recognition from ASSOCHAM, ET-
TIMES NOW, and the Lions Club of Kolkata. The college regularly participates in the NIRF
ranking under the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
The Institute offers eleven programmes covering both the undergraduate and post-graduate
spectrum. They include four professionally oriented under-graduate B.Sc courses (Food
Science & Nutrition Management; Textiles & Fashion Technology; Interior Designing and
Human Development), Commerce (B.Com) and Management (BBA) apart from one post-
graduate-diploma in Dietetics & Applied Nutrition. Three post-graduate M.Sc courses (in
Food & Nutrition, Textiles & Clothing, and Human Development) and M.Com are also
offered.
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