For decades, “Made in Italy” has been shorthand for quality, craftsmanship, and ethical production. A luxury promise stitched into every seam. But recent developments such as investigations into Loro Piana's supply chain or the pubic protests against Montblanc have shown that the truth behind the label is far more complicated.
Many fast fashion brands as well as some luxury brands been linked to exploitative working conditions. And it’s forcing the fashion industry and its customers to ask: what does true luxury mean, if the hands that make it are undervalued and invisible?
But perhaps this moment is not just a reckoning, it’s a rare opportunity. A chance to ask: what kind of fashion industry do we want to build from here?
Where we go from here
The issues unearthed in Italy’s supply chains aren’t new, nor are they limited to one country. But what’s emerging now is a collective awareness. Consumers are asking smarter questions. Workers are finding stronger platforms. And new models of business are offering better answers.
Instead of reacting with outrage alone, we can respond with intention and innovation.
What If… Fashion could be fair?
At I was a Sari, we’ve always believed that fashion can be a force for good, not just for the planet, but for the people behind each product. We’ve seen first-hand how ethical employment and skill development can transform not just wardrobes, but lives.
We ask: what if the artisan was never hidden, but brought to the forefront? What if transparency wasn’t a burden, but a brand strength? What if fair wages weren’t an exception, but the baseline?
Our model is simple, but powerful:
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We use upcycled saris and discarded materials.
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We work directly with women from underprivileged backgrounds.
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We pay fair wages and invest in long-term growth and training.
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We design with care—not just for aesthetics, but for impact.
And we do it all with the belief that dignity should never be outsourced.
Shifting the narrative: From audit to action
Industry-wide, there’s growing recognition that true accountability must go deeper. It requires listening to workers, shortening supply chains, and embedding fairness into everyday decisions not just sustainability reports.
The good news? Brands don’t have to do it alone. From local NGOs to ethical fashion networks to conscious consumers, there’s an ecosystem ready to support better practices. The future of fashion doesn’t belong to any one label or location, it belongs to those who are willing to do the work.
A new definition of luxury
We believe the true luxury of the future will be transparency. It will be care. It will be knowing that your beautiful jacket or bag wasn’t made at someone else’s expense—but with someone else’s pride.
And we believe this new kind of luxury is already taking shape, here in India, in artisan communities across the globe, in workshops where women are not just workers but decision-makers.
We don’t claim to have all the answers. But we know this: when we center our people, not just product, the entire story changes.
