Khadi Denim: A Fusion of Tradition and Contemporary Sustainability in Textiles
There's a growing interest in exploring alternatives like khadi denim, as Denim, one of the most commonly used fabrics worldwide, has seen a surge in popularity, but its production has raised significant social and environmental concerns. Issues such as energy consumption, water, air, and soil pollution are prevalent in denim manufacturing. In this blog, we delve into the details of khadi denim as a potential solution to these sustainability challenges.
Anuprerna, holds a steadfast commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. It is our responsibility to minimize its ecological footprint and contribute positively to the planet. In alignment with these values, we have chosen to focus on khadi denim as an alternative to conventional denim.
Denim and its Rise in Popularity
Denim is a cotton fabric that originated in Nimes, France in the late 18th century. The fabric was first used to make denim jeans and other clothing items but has been used for other purposes since then as well.
Denim fabric is the most popular fabric in the world. It is durable and versatile, easy to wash and dry, and it doesn't wrinkle easily. Denim jeans, made from this fabric, are comfortable and look great on almost everyone. They can be dressed up or down in an instant, and they're affordable, too
Denim Story
The denim trousers, made from twill cloth, had become popular for workwear since they were comfortable and strong enough to be worn on farms or while doing manual labor. However, it wasn't until the 19th century that denim achieved worldwide popularity. The reason for its widespread appeal was that it is made from cotton. Cotton, one of the most versatile fabrics available today, grows quickly and requires little maintenance or labor to produce large amounts of fiber for clothing manufacturing companies worldwide.
The first pair of jeans were made and patentend in 1873 by Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss & Co. Since then, denim fabric has been adopted by subcultures such as punk rockers and hip-hop artists as well as becoming popular with mainstream fashion designers who are making a variety of apparel out of the fabric like denim jackets, denim skirts, denim dresses etc.
Environmental Impact of Denim
Today, the denim industry is one of the largest in the world.
"It accounts for 2% of the global trade and has a revenue of over $110 billion".
But it has a big environmental and ecological footprint.
- It is made from cotton — which accounts for more than 20 percent of global pesticide use.
-It takes about 1,700 gallons of water to produce enough cotton to make a pair of fabric jeans. In fact, producing a single pair of fabric jeans overall requires over 2,000 gallons of water and 1,500 kilowatts of electricity.
- Denim not only uses a lot of energy in the form of electricity during the manufacturing process, but it also consumes huge amounts of water, chemicals, and diesel oil.
- When you throw away your old jeans, some of these chemicals end up in landfills or wash off into rivers and streams when they're washed at home. This can have negative effects on wildlife and people who eat fish from those waters.
Khadi Denim, A Sustainable Alternative
Khadi denim is a sustainable alternative to regular denim fabric material. It is made through the handspun process of khadi, where natural fibers are handspun to form yarns, which are then handwoven on the handloom to create the Khadi fabric. This entirely manual process eliminates the consumption of electricity or fuel. Additionally, GOTS certified Organic Cotton fibers are used to create the denim khadi, further enhancing its sustainability credentials.
Khadi Denim offers an option for those who wish to purchase ethical clothing without breaking the bank; all products are affordable while still upholding their high-quality standards.
Characteristics of Khadi Denim
The great thing about these khadi jeans is that they have all of the same characteristics as regular denim. It's comfortable, breathable and easy to wash. Denim twill khadi also has the added benefit of being durable—the jeans will last for years to come.
The denim twill also requires a different fit. The regular denim has stretch, whereas the twill khadi does not and therefore has a more tailored look to it.
What makes Denim Khadi more sustainable?
The answer is in the way it's made. It's an eco-friendly fabric that is produced using traditional methods of handweaving with handspun yarns.
It’s handmade by skilled handloom weavers who use traditional techniques in their work. This means that no factory work is involved in the making of this denim cloth fabric, which helps reduce pollution and consumption of electricity while preserving traditional skill sets and techniques that are important for India’s cultural identity.
The Handloom manufacturing process is also environmentally friendly because it doesn’t involve any chemicals or harmful substances like bleach and other synthetic dyes do.
When dyeing with natural dye indigo, the process takes several weeks to complete and uses very little water compared to other types of dyes. The plant-based dyes also make the fabric easier to wash - you don't have to worry about colour fading or bleeding onto other clothing items in the wash or any chemicals leeching into the soil when the fabric is eventually discarded.
Summary
New age consumers are moving towards conscious fashion because they're tired of seeing their clothing pollute our oceans or contribute to deforestation in developing countries like Bangladesh or India.
Thus, Denim khadi is a sustainable fabric alternative to regular denim that appeals to people who care about the environment and the ethical treatment of animals. The next time you think of shopping for denim jeans, look for alternatives and make an informed choice.
related questions
What is original denim?
arrow_drop_downOriginal denim refers to the authentic denim fabric that was traditionally woven from cotton yarns using a twill weave construction. It is characterized by its durability, rugged texture, and indigo blue color.
What is denim fabric quality?
arrow_drop_downDenim fabric quality is determined by factors such as material composition, weave tightness, weight, color consistency, finish durability, and texture resilience.
Is denim good for summer?
arrow_drop_downTraditional heavyweight denim is not the best choice for hot summer weather, as it is dense and not very breathable. However, lightweight denim or denim blends with cotton and other breathable fibers can be more suitable for summer. Look for lighter denim options or styles designed for warm weather to enhance comfort during the summer months.
What is the difference between handloom denim and khadi denim?
arrow_drop_downHandloom denim and Khadi denim differ primarily in their production methods and cultural origins. Handloom denim is woven using traditional handloom techniques by skilled artisans, allowing for customization and variation in texture, whereas Khadi denim is made from Khadi fabric, handspun and handwoven using traditional methods associated with India's Khadi movement, embodying rustic textures and cultural significance.
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