SUSTAINABILITY

At Szabo Sihag, sustainability is at the core of our ethos. By up-cycling dead-stock denim and using hand-spun Khadi cotton from village artisans, we reduce waste and promote eco-friendly practices. Our focus on quality, longevity, and responsible fashion supports environmental preservation and cultural heritage. We work with small-scale manufacturers in India, allowing us to create high-quality garments while supporting local communities.

Khadi Cotton

All our cotton is Khadi cotton, a handspun and handwoven fabric that was important in India’s freedom movement, representing self-reliance and simplicity. Khadi is made using a charkha (a traditional spinning wheel). We source all our cotton from Khadi India, staying true to this timeless craft. Khadi India is managed by the Khadi & Village Industries Commission, Government of India. Inspired by memories of my grandfather spinning cotton on his charkha, we at Szabo Sihag have made it our mission to protect this craft. As industrialization grows, this tradition is at risk of disappearing. By working with Khadi and supporting small enterprises in Indian villages, we help preserve the craft and the livelihoods of the artisans who create it.

Khadi cotton

Up-cycled Denim

We are committed to up-cycling old dead-stock denim, giving new life to unused materials by transforming them into durable, long-lasting garments. By repurposing denim, we reduce waste and minimise our environmental footprint, creating unique pieces that are both sustainable and contemporary. This approach aligns with our philosophy of responsible fashion, where quality and longevity are prioritised, ensuring that each garment stands the test of time while contributing to a more sustainable future.

Up-cycled denim top

Unused Odhani

In the state of Rajasthan and Haryana, India there is a tradition of gifting unstitched fabrics with odhanis— which are hand tie-dyed—passed down through generations. These unused odhanis often accumulate in households, remaining untouched for years. To prevent this waste, we’ve decided to repurpose them in our collection, giving new life to these beautifully crafted fabrics. By incorporating hand tie-dyed odhanis that would otherwise go unused, we not only honor tradition but also embrace sustainability. This approach reduces waste, supports responsible fashion, and preserves cultural heritage, transforming forgotten pieces into unique, meaningful garments.

Shirt made of up-cycled odhani

Production

We work with small, independent, and family-run workshops based in India. This helps us to provide fairly paid work for local artisans and to help to preserve local artistry.

Leather

We acknowledge that leather is an animal product, but it is a byproduct of the meat industry. Instead of letting it go to waste, we utilize it for its durability and longevity, which fits into our "buy less, buy better" philosophy. The leather we use is dead stock from major export houses based in India. The leather industry in India also plays a crucial role in providing employment, supporting approximately 4.42 million people, many from weaker sections of society. Women make up about 30% of the workforce in leather product manufacturing. By choosing leather, we not only create long-lasting products but also contribute to livelihoods across communities

Master Ji Head Tailor

ZERO Waste Policy

Any stock left from previous collections is sold on our website as Archive pieces. This allows us to ensure that the impact on our environment is minimized. Our garments are produced in very small quantities and whenever it's possible the garments are made after an order is placed. This helps us to avoid any overproduction.

Durability

Our garments are made of high-quality materials by high-skilled tailors and artisans. This guarantees a long-lasting product. We often use hand stitching therefore we educate our clients about care instructions and our team is happy to answer any queries related to any of our products and possible alterations.


Packaging

We try to minimize the amount of packaging. Garments are shipped in recycled boxes and are covered in recycled tissue paper. Leftover and waste fabrics are used to make packaging, pouches, and accessories.