Models to walk ramp in organic cotton clothes

By Sunanda Parmeshwar

Mumbai, Jan 24 In a first of its kind, a fashion show introducing organic clothes will be held Sunday at Aurangabad, the hub of the cotton textile industry of Maharashtra.

It is the brainchild of leading costume designer Asif Shah, who has been working on it for four months.

The event is part of a four-day World Organic Conference being held in Aurangabad, where international buyers will be introduced to knitted organic fabric.

"I have prepared 50 garments of knitted organic wear, which will be showcased in the fashion show," Shah, who is based in Indore in Madhya Pradesh, told IANS.

He explained the immediate response to raw organic clothes is that it is not in vogue and thus not the "in" thing to be worn or exhibited.

"I want to change this line of thought by this show, which will be a mix of fashion and organic clothes to make it more appealing to the masses."

The fashion show and the conference are being held to promote organic clothes as the ultimate designer wear. Organic clothes are made from cotton that is not treated with fertilisers.

The organic clothes showcased at the conference and the ramp will be certified by ECOCERT, an international certification agency based in France.

ECOCERT is working to promote the growth and use of organic cotton worldwide with Organic Exchange, a non-profit organisation based here. The conference is expected to attract people from cotton textile mills in India.

Internationally renowned companies like Reebok, Adidas, Nike, Otto and others will take part in the conference.

"After the fashion show, which is choreographed by Sheetal Sharma and Prasad Bidappa, ECOCERT will certify me as the first organic fashion designer," Shah said.

On the opening day of the conference, ECOCERT will interact with cotton farmers from the Marathwada region and farmer delegates from around the country.

The farmers will also be given basic training on soil contamination, soil building, fibre-contamination management and water conservation techniques for optimum yield.