“Sustainable fashion is not a trend but the future.” Antonia Böhlke
The recently concluded Lakmé Fashion Week, in partnership with FDCI, began on a thoughtful note by dedicating Day 1 to Sustainable Fashion Day. Taking centre stage at The Atelier, ace designer Anavila Misra opened the show with her breathtaking new collection, “DABU” — a heartfelt ode to the timeless beauty of the sari.
Anavila’s collection celebrated the sari’s graceful drape and unstitched freedom, unbound by zippers, buttons, or belts. The focus was on fluidity and creativity, reaffirming the sari’s enduring relevance in modern fashion.
“DABU,” derived from the Hindi word dabana (meaning “to press”), is an age-old, labour-intensive printing technique involving several stages of hand-printing and dyeing. This deeply sustainable craft relies entirely on nature’s bounty — mud, gum, lime, and waste wheat chaff — making it both eco-friendly and culturally rooted. In Anavila’s hands, DABU came alive on luxurious fabrics, draped into stunning silhouettes.
The colour palette — ivory, ochre, sage green, indigo, madder, kashish, black, with hints of gold and silver — danced across the six-yard wonders, bringing a refreshing richness to the runway. Anavila even pushed the boundaries of traditional Dabu printing by introducing geometric patterns and rare colour combinations, opening doors for this craft to reach “non-regular sari fashionistas” who may not typically embrace handloom drapes.
Beyond its aesthetic brilliance, the show also highlighted Anavila’s grassroots understanding of artisan challenges. By reimagining Dabu in such a modern yet respectful way, she not only elevated the craft but also created opportunities for artisans to tap into a more premium market.
Who would have imagined Dabu could look this contemporary, yet stay so authentic? Anavila’s “DABU” at Lakmé Fashion Week proved that sustainability and style can walk hand in hand — and it’s a vision the fashion world won’t forget soon.
Have a look:
