We had the privilege of hosting Prof. Venky Nagan, Adjunct Professor of Practice at Amrita School of Business and former Group CEO of Asmara International, for a thought-provoking session on “Fast Fashion vs. Sustainable Fashion” at ASB, Coimbatore on 22.08.2025.
Prof. Venky reminded us that fashion is more than just creativity and self-expression – it carries hidden costs that affect our planet. A few powerful takeaways:
- Fashion is the 3rd most polluting industry worldwide.
- A single T-shirt generates 3 kg of CO₂ and contributes to the 20% of global water pollution from textiles.
- Despite overflowing wardrobes, many still feel they have “nothing to wear” – a paradox fueled by fast fashion and overconsumption.
What made the session engaging was how Prof. Venky illustrated the contrast between fast fashion’s impact and sustainable alternatives through real world examples of change:
Patagonia’s call to “buy only what you really need.
- H&M’s circularity campaigns.
- Innovations like e-flow denim production and 3D design to conserve resources.
- The second-hand fashion market booming to $80B in the US.
The resource person framed the future of fashion through six keys to sustainability. What stayed etched in the minds of most was the closing thought: There is no Planet B. Just as “quality” became a default expectation in the past, sustainability will soon be non-negotiable.
Thank you, Prof. Venky , for the enriching session that will shape future business leaders to contribute to creating a sustainable fashion world.