As sustainability continues to weave its way into mainstream fashion and culture, here are four promising trends set to shape the eco-friendly industry for this year and beyond: 

1. Local, handmade and artisanal

Consumers have (finally) started to shift away from the fast-fashion mentality to a more conscious way of shopping. Departing from cheap, mass-produced apparel to better and greener options. Expect consumers to favour artisanal, handmade and locally sourced fashion this year.

The rising demands for such market have also meant that more prominent brands are now incorporating these values in their products. Take a look at H&M and Zara's sustainable pledges for the future. 

2. Indian fashion takes centre stage

The Indian fashion space is slowly emerging as the frontrunner for all things sustainable for their longstanding love, use and respect for artisanal conservation and development. Whether it's pret or couture, the Indian fashion ecosystem's new-age use of traditional crafts has created a new pulsating demand for Indian goods. Wearing Indian apparel should be your next go-to green mantra! 

3. All natural dyes

The dyeing and finishing process is the most intense stage during the production of any apparel. Sustainable fashion experts are now finding more creative options like tea leaves and mint for a safer and healthier dye choice. Researchers predict that the fashion industry's environmental impacts will reduce by nearly 15% if this trend continues. 

4. Even more transparency in the supply chain and process

The fashion industry has been surrounded by secrecy for far too long. The growing awareness to many of its social and environmental impacts has resulted in a need for more transparency. Brands of all sizes from this year and beyond will be expected to answer all questions. Here's why transparency matters. 

5. The end of trends

Seasonal trends will slowly be a thing of the past as the fashion industry moves towards a more sustainable and ethical way of producing apparel. Protecting human rights as well as the planet will mean that certain aspects of fashion like the time it takes from design to retail will lengthen. Slower production equals fewer, fewer and fewer trends.