FT NEWS

The year is 2020, and the fashion industry is experiencing a seismic shift towards consumption. The question, who made your clothes, has never been more important, with consumers adopting a mindfulness for the skills and craftsmanship that goes in the making of the finished product.

The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on all industries has been significant, but for the fashion industry, and the men and women who make your clothes, the impact has been devastating. On a personal as well as a collective level, how do we help those hit the hardest?

To us at Vogue India, the answer was clear. We saw the urgent need to raise the industry’s attention to the plight of the Indian karigar. It’s known that decades of craft and textile heritage in the country has ensured we have some of the most skilled craftspeople in the world. Cancellation of orders and a lack of demand in the market will mean shuttered businesses and a loss of livelihood for many. To educate the audience about their unique talents, to start a conversation about fair compensation for their efforts, and to celebrate our love for their artistry.

The Serum Institute has played a key role in testing and hopefully onboarding the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca Plc.’s experimental vaccine, popularly known as the Oxford ‘Covishield’. Both Natasha and Adar are passionate about paying it forward. Their work has been impactful in the areas of education, sanitation, as well as supporting not-for-profit organisations on local, national and international platforms that empower lives, provide opportunities, improve conditions and advance communities.