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The intricate and colourful Deity dresses that decorate the transcendental form of the Lordships in ISKCON temples are a sight to behold. But underneath their beauty is a deeper dedication to ethical and sustainable practices. This blog explores how ISKCON Mayapur aims to strike an inspiring balance between tradition, environmental and social responsibility by examining our organization’s distinctive approach of creating deity dresses.
The term “sustainable fashion” has gained popularity within the industry in recent years. It describes the actions taken by ethically driven brands to lessen their negative effects on the environment, safeguard the rights of those who make clothing, and preserve animal welfare.
Why are they doing this? To reverse the adverse effects of fast fashion.
The phrase “fast fashion” has gained prominence in discussions about sustainability, environmental conscience, and fashion. The term refers to cheaply produced and priced garments that copy the latest styles and get manufactured quickly through stores in order to maximize on current trends.
The fast fashion model gets its name from the speed at which clothes are designed, produced, distributed, and marketed. This allows retailers to draw big amounts of a wider range of products, giving customers more fashion and product distinction at a lower cost. Fast-fashion items are typically thrown away sooner rather than later due to their low quality, which contributes significantly to environmental issues.
According to a study done by The Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, “The fashion industry is the second most polluting industry, contributing 8% of all carbon emissions and 20% of all global wastewater, with an anticipated 50% increase in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.”
These effects highlight the urgent need to return to “slow” fashion in order to improve the long-term sustainability of the supply chain by reducing and mitigating the negative environmental effects. In order to identify new areas for action and scale up existing initiatives that connect the value chain on a global level, the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) released the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Change, which aims to connect the various stakeholders in the fashion industry, including raw material producers, textile producers, apparel manufacturers, and brands.
Consequently, how does ISKCON Mayapur aim to fulfill its commitment to sustainability by using moral production methods for its Deity dresses?
In order to minimize the environmental harm caused by the logistics of moving goods from around the world, we choose to acquire the majority of our materials locally, whether they are the tiniest beads or meters of opulent fabric. A great deal of the equipment utilized is sourced from numerous places in India. We also employ high-quality materials to guarantee that the dresses last longer. After several years of adorning our Deities, dresses that inevitably fade are disposed of responsibly. The most striking aspect of the production process is perhaps that virtually all of the dresses are produced by hand from start to finish, negating the need for excessive reliance on technology that emits hazardous emissions and needs to be replaced on a regular basis. All of these small actions add significantly to help Mayapur become a healthier and more environmentally conscious version of itself.
An excellent illustration of the procedure was the creation of an intricate pink saree made for Sri Simantini Devi in Rajapur, where the entire Deity dress department worked hard to design and bring their vision to life. From beginning to end, this saree was hand-made by a family in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. This dress and multiple other elaborate dresses reflect the department’s perseverance, devotion and dedication to taking steps towards making the most mesmerizing and sustainable outfits for the Lord and contributing to make festivals even more special for the whole community. The Mayapur Divine Threads team stands as a source of inspiration for other temples around the world to take a small step towards ethical fashion.
To know more about the Deity department’s contributions you can refer to the video below!
Mayapur Divine Threads. (2024, June 18). “Lotus Elegance” – a timeless saree creation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmTqXxOpHLM
In the spirit of Srila Prabhupada’s teachings, embracing sustainable and ethical practices in crafting deity dresses can become a cornerstone of our devotional service. Srila Prabhupada Himself emphasized, “One should not give up anything which can be utilized in the service of the Lord” [Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 14]. This principle can be extended even further, guiding us towards a future where every aspect of creating deity dresses reflects our deep respect for Lord Krishna and the world He created.
In my humble opinion, we can achieve this by actively seeking out organic, ethically sourced fabrics and dyes. These conscious choices will ensure the offerings themselves embody purity and a deep appreciation for Lord Krishna’s creation. Sustainable practices will become a way to honor Lord Krishna’s gift of nature, aligning our actions with the core tenets of our devotion.
Ultimately, these choices demonstrate our understanding that everything, from the grandest machine to the humblest thread, can be utilized in Lord Krishna’s service. By embracing sustainable and ethical practices, we ensure that the future of crafting deity dresses reflects not just beauty, but also our unwavering commitment to Krishna consciousness.
In conclusion, by making sustainable choices about the materials and methods used to create Deity dresses, we can ensure these sacred garments honor our Lordships while reflecting a deep respect for our planet and the artisans who bring them to life. Through sustainable and ethical practices, we can create beauty that resonates with the values of our time, leaving a positive footprint on the world and ensuring these traditions continue to thrive for generations to come.
In the future, with each stitch woven with devotion and responsibility, we can craft a legacy of enduring reverence. These practices will ensure the future of deity dressmaking tells a story not just of beauty, but of our appreciation towards Krishna consciousness and a world in harmony with Lord Krishna’s creation.