At I AM BLVD, the word “sustainability” is more than a catchy phrase—it’s a guiding principle that informs every stage of our design and production process. When you choose I AM BLVD, you aren’t just shopping for elegant, contemporary clothing; you’re becoming part of a movement toward mindful, lasting fashion that benefits people, planet, and culture.
SUSTAINABILITY OF RESOURCES
We all love the breezy vibe of linen and the comfort of pure cotton, but at I AM BLVD, we believe it’s important to look past the label. Transparency matters. Our linen is hand-woven right here in India, supporting regional artisans and minimizing the pollution that comes with long-distance transportation. In addition, we use OEKO TEX and GOTS certified organic cotton wherever possible. These certifications give peace of mind that our materials avoid harmful pesticides and protect both the land and the people who work it.
Occasionally, for certain patterns, we opt for power loom linen—also sourced from India. This ensures that the quality meets our exact standards, and makes our collections more accessible without a drastic tradeoff in environmental care.
Our dyeing process keeps the bigger picture in focus. We use both organic dyes and azo-free dyes, always cold-water dyed. This approach not only reduces energy usage but also improves the longevity and even appearance of each garment. While organic certification is valuable, we place equal weight on ensuring your clothing lasts—because a long-lived piece is the most sustainable choice of all.
SUSTAINABILITY OF EMPLOYMENT
You might wonder: who makes your clothes? At I AM BLVD, every design comes to life in our own studio in Kerala. By avoiding third-party outsourcing, we ensure a controlled environment rooted in fairness and respect for every artisan.
Fair wages are a responsibility. Depending on the designation, Our tailors and embroiderers and other staffs receive about $15 - $25 per day—a substantial amount compared to many in the region and exceeding most industry minimums. But there’s more than just pay: every member of our team enjoys three daily breaks (a total of 90 minutes), plus flexible start and end times. Our staff can clock in anytime between 9:00 and 9:45 a.m. and complete a 7.5-hour shift, with time to rest and recharge.
This schedule reflects our stance on work-life balance and the appreciation we have for human skill, especially as hand-embroidery features prominently in our collections. Unlike mass-produced clothing, genuine handwork is meticulous and time-intensive. While this makes our margins a constant challenge, we won’t compromise accessibility. Our pricing is based precisely on the value of thoughtful design, skillful sampling, careful procurement, and the real costs of merchandising, production, packaging, and shipping. No inflated markups—just honest, transparent pricing that puts fairness and quality first.
SUSTAINABILITY OF INVENTORY
Sustainability isn’t just about fabrics or supply chains; it requires grappling with the inconvenient truth of the industry waste. At I AM BLVD, we pay close attention to how we handle every offcut and sample.
Every scrap of fabric from our production process is accounted for. We repurpose leftover linen into accessories such as unique hair clips, giving what would be waste a second life. When scraps aren’t suitable for reuse, we send them to local recycling plants, exchanging them for recycled products that we can deploy in future creations.
Concerning deadstock—the inevitable unsold items that plague many fashion brands—we’re committed to avoiding wasteful excess. Since our launch, we’ve produced only limited runs of each style, so deadstock hasn’t become a substantial issue yet. For items that do not sell, we’ve resolved to donate these pieces to thoughtfully selected orphanages, ensuring they find purposeful, welcomed homes.
SUSTAINABILITY OF CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT
We call our creative approach “Neo Indian,” not just as an aesthetic but as a philosophy. The mission: modernize traditional Indian craft while supporting artisans on the frontlines of a rapidly changing industry.
Our collections draw deeply on local embroidery techniques. By adapting these time-honored skills to contemporary silhouettes, we provide ongoing employment for artisans and keep heritage crafts alive—not frozen in time, but evolving with today’s wearer. When you purchase I AM BLVD, you carry a piece of living workmanship, blending history with present-day values.
Cultural sustainability is just as vital as environmental care. We want future generations to experience the beauty of Indian craftsmanship, and artisans deserve the opportunity to build futures that respect tradition and embrace innovation.
SUSTAINABILITY OF FUTURE
Embracing sustainability means making tough choices every day. Despite progress, striving for full sustainability is daunting. The fashion industry is still catching up; in India, the shift from fast fashion to slow, mindful production has only recently begun.
A significant challenge is sourcing trims, yarns, and embellishments that meet both our creative vision and sustainability criteria. Not every element—zippers, buttons, specialty yarns—is yet available in an earth-friendly, affordable form. But we’re committed to staying educated. Our team regularly participates in sustainability events, collaborates with researchers, and follows developments closely to adapt as better options emerge.
There’s one vulnerability we feel is important to share: we aren't fully free from plastic. To protect delicate fabrics during monsoon season, we use some plastic inside our studio. However, these barriers never leave our workroom and are reused repeatedly. We recognize there’s work ahead to eliminate even this use fully—and we welcome ideas from our community in that direction.
SUSTAINABILITY OF VALUE
Many ask how we balance the high cost of true handwork with the goal of being accessible to a wider Indian audience. It’s a daily equation: we never inflate prices to manufacture a sense of exclusivity. Instead, we calculate based on tangible factors—labor, time, design, materials, and fair compensation. Our mission is to prove that beautiful, long-lasting clothing doesn’t have to be out of reach for the thoughtful consumer.
By designing limited editions, streamlining procurement, and keeping close tabs on waste, we find ways to keep prices fair without shortchanging artisans or sacrificing quality. Our hope is that as more customers champion conscious fashion, slow fashion infrastructure in India will expand, making sustainable choices easier and more affordable for all.
SUSTAINABILITY OF IMPACT
Choosing sustainable clothing from I AM BLVD isn’t just a personal style decision—it reverberates through communities and ecosystems. Every piece wages small resistance against fast fashion’s wastefulness and exploitation. Your support helps:
- Foster fair, humane working conditions for Indian artisans
- Preserve regional skills and craftsmanship for new generations
- Reduce textile waste by supporting upcycling and responsible recycling
- Better Environmental stability
- Drive demand for eco-certified fabrics and processes
- Add enduring value to your wardrobe, shifting the cycle from disposable to cherished
- You back a circular, low‑waste fashion model where unsold dresses are gifted to charity instead of ending up in landfills.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
We believe the future of fashion is mindful, rooted, and interconnected. At I AM BLVD, sustainability is a living process, not a finish line. We’re still learning, adapting, and improving—always with transparency and integrity.
As the slow fashion ecosystem in India grows, we're excited to diversify our offerings with even more sustainable trims, cleaner shipping methods, and inventive ways to reuse or upcycle offcuts. Most importantly, we remain accountable to our community: sharing the realities of the journey and welcoming your voices as partners in change.
CONCLUSION
Sustainability at I AM BLVD is an evolving commitment: one woven from responsibility, respect, and real action. Together, we’re not just wearing fashion—we’re shaping the culture of mindful living. Ready to join us on this journey? Explore our range to experience conscious fashion, redefined.
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