Canopy at Lakmé Fashion Week: Five Key Takeaways from Our Panel Discussion

Last week, Canopy hosted a groundbreaking panel entitled ‘Next Gen Blueprint: Rethinking Materials in Fashion' at Lakmē Fashion Week, in partnership with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), to explore the future of sustainable fashion and the role of India’s designers and brands in advancing circular solutions. 

Moderated by journalist and sustainability consultant Namrata Zakaria, the panel featured Canopy’s Founder and Executive Director Nicole Rycroft, iconic Indian fashion designer Amit Aggarwal, sustainable fashion star Urvashi Kaur, and ​​Sara Sozzani Maino, Creative Director of Fondazione Sozzani and former Head of Vogue Talent. The packed audience of fashion designers and journalists took in a discussion that was wide-ranging, lively, and optimistic.

Since you likely were not in the room where it happened, here are five key takeaways from the conversation:

1. An Audacious Plan: Scaling Next Gen Solutions for Fashion Supply Chains

Canopy’s goal of scaling 60 million tonnes of Next Gen textiles and paper packaging over the next decade is ambitious. It is also integral for brands as they move to address growing volatility within conventional supply chains, regulatory risks associated with high-carbon forest-derived products, as well as environmental risk. 

Nicole Rycroft, Canopy’s Executive Director, emphasized the unique position of India to take action, and in doing so, position itself competitively for key export markets. “India has a remarkable opportunity to be an early manufacturing hub of Next Gen materials for the global fashion industry,” she said. 

Transforming agricultural residues and discarded textiles into high-quality materials can reduce reliance on forest-based fibres — and in doing so protect biodiversity and build resilient supply chains. This is not just an innovation opportunity‌, ‌it is a pivotal moment for business and conservation, where scalable solutions can redefine the future of fashion.

2. Fabric Innovation: Breakthroughs in Sustainable Materials

The latest breakthroughs in Next Gen fabrics are reshaping the way fashion companies approach sustainability. Senior Corporate Campaigner Alexandra Poignand finds that from a brand perspective, these fabrics, made from agricultural residues and discarded textiles, offer a sustainable alternative to conventional forest-based fibres. Sourcing low-impact, low-carbon textiles such as these can help fashion brands meet their sustainability targets. As the commercial viability of these materials continues to grow, fashion brands can now access high-performance textiles that contribute to reduced environmental impact without compromising on style or durability. Next Gen fabrics not only push the boundaries of innovation, but they also serve as a key driver in reducing the industry's reliance on forest resources.

3. Packaging Solutions: Leading the Shift to Sustainable Packaging

Canopy contributed to an engaging Next Gen materials display at the Ministry of Textiles’ Sustainability Pavilion, drawing attention from brands, manufacturers, and policymakers eager to explore low-carbon textile alternatives. The display featured breakthrough innovations from Canopy’s partners, including Circ®, Circulose, Birla Cellulose’s Liva Reviva, and Evrnu® — ‌each demonstrating that solutions for sustainable, circular fashion are ready to scale.

4. Investment and Scaling: Accelerating the Adoption of Circular Solutions

Investors and brands have a crucial role to play in scaling circular solutions across the fashion industry. James Alden, Canopy’s Investor Engagement Specialist, observed how strategic investments and financial incentives are key to accelerating the adoption of Next Gen materials and circular supply chains. As ‌demand for sustainable alternatives increases, there is a significant opportunity to unlock capital for innovation and growth in the circular economy. Through smart investment and collaborative efforts, the fashion industry can drive systemic change, making sustainability not just a trend, but a long-term business strategy. The panel underscored that now is the time for brands and investors to act and make sustainability a cornerstone of the future of fashion.

5. India’s Opportunity: Empowering India to Lead in Circular Fashion

India's unique position as both a global manufacturing hub and a leader in textile innovation uniquely positions it to lead the transition to circular fashion. India’s growing role in scaling sustainable innovation, from its rich heritage of textile craftsmanship to its potential for large-scale production of Next Gen materials. With an abundance of agricultural waste and a skilled textile workforce, India has the opportunity to drive global change while also supporting local communities. Diverting waste materials that would normally be burned, which contributes to air pollution issues in India, is another on-the-ground benefit for India. This shift also brings economic opportunity. Redirecting waste streams into manufacturing inputs can unlock new income avenues for farmers, spur local entrepreneurship, and create green jobs across rural and urban India. Next Generation alternatives are a win-win-win for India’s fashion industry, environment, and economy.

Canopy is excited to continue fostering collaboration and innovation across the fashion industry, bringing together visionary designers, brands, and stakeholders to create solutions that are as stylish as they are sustainable.

For more on how India is positioned to lead in this emerging sector, check out Canopy’s Opportunity Paper:  Read Here