Why I Chose Slow Fashion; And Why I’ll Never Go Back

I was 23 when Purple Potato was just an idea over dinner at my parents’ dining table. We weren’t thinking about creating “just another clothing brand.” We wanted to build something that reflected our values as a family: comfort, creativity, and care for the world we live in.

Growing up in India, I’ve seen both sides of fashion. On one hand, there’s the vibrant beauty of handwoven fabrics, block printing in dusty Rajasthan workshops, and the gentle hum of tailors at their sewing machines. On the other, there’s the reality of mass production, low-quality fabrics, unfair wages, and a mountain of textile waste that grows by the second.

It’s impossible to ignore what’s happening. Landfills are filling up with discarded clothes, rivers in manufacturing hubs are running murky from chemical dyes, and the “wear once and toss” culture is speeding up. We’re losing not just resources, but also the craft and dignity behind the clothes we wear.

For me, sustainable fashion isn’t just about switching to organic cotton or recycling. It’s about changing the way we think about clothes. Slow fashion means asking: Who made this piece? How long will I wear it? What story does it tell?

At Purple Potato, we choose garment dyeing, plant-based fabrics like Tencel denim and bamboo cotton, and small-batch production. We partner with workshops that pay fairly and treat their teams like family. Yes, it means our pieces take longer to make. Yes, it means we won’t always be the cheapest option. But that’s the point — they’re made to last, to be loved, and to be worn again and again.

I’m not here to guilt anyone for shopping fast fashion. I’ve been there too. But once you experience a piece that truly fits your life, soft from the first wear, stitched with care, and carrying the soul of its maker, it’s hard to go back.

If you’re just starting your journey into sustainable fashion, here are some easy swaps:

• Choose fewer, better pieces instead of impulse buys.

• Support brands and local artisans whose values align with yours.

• Learn to repair and restyle what you already own.

• Wash your clothes less often and more gently to make them last.

The truth is, we vote with our wallets. Every time you choose slow fashion, you’re saying yes to fair wages, less waste, and a future where fashion doesn’t cost the earth.

Purple Potato was born out of love, for clothes, for the people who make them, and for the planet. I’m 26 now, and I know we’re just getting started. If this resonates with you, you’re already part of the change.