Zero Waste Fashion: Our New Collaboration with IRO IRO

In August 2023, we at Infantium Victoria embarked on a groundbreaking partnership with IRO IRO, a women-led zero-waste textile studio founded by the visionary Bhaavya Goenka. This visit to IRO IRO’s studio in Jaipur marked the beginning of an exciting journey—one that merges our commitment to organic, GOTS-certified fabrics with a truly holistic approach to zero-waste fashion. Together, we set out to develop a new fabric and conceptualize a design process that redefines sustainability in the garment industry.

At Infantium Victoria, also a women-led enterprise, we had been searching for a scalable, eco-conscious solution for the cutting waste generated at our GOTS-certified production facilities in India. Previously, while it was easier to repurpose scraps at our European factories, we lacked control over the fate of the cutting waste produced on the Indian side of our operations. Meeting with our Indian manufacturing partners, we requested a system for collecting every ounce of waste, ensuring it would be funneled directly to IRO IRO’s workshop instead of ending up in landfills.

Once the cutting waste arrived at IRO IRO, their artisans began the meticulous process of handloom weaving, transforming these remnants of organic cotton into beautiful, high-quality fabrics. From there, our design team collaborated closely to create a zero-waste garment pattern that would use every bit of the new material without leaving behind any scraps. The result of this synergy? Our first product together: a zero-waste jacket that perfectly marries the rustic charm of handloom textiles with avant-garde pattern-making.

While this innovation feels fresh and exciting, zero-waste thinking has been part of Infantium Victoria’s ethos for several seasons. We’ve already introduced zero-waste models in our European line, which allowed us to reduce our ecological footprint and breathe new life into materials that would otherwise be discarded. However, bringing the concept to India—where a significant portion of our organic cotton garments are produced—has magnified our impact. By repurposing these precious GOTS-certified fabric scraps, we’re not only minimizing waste but also utilizing our planet’s limited resources in the most responsible way.

The handcrafted quality of the newly woven fabrics, combined with our commitment to design innovation, has yielded pieces that stand apart for their unique texture and story. We like to call this a “double zero-waste solution” or “positive waste solution”—because it addresses waste at two points in the supply chain: first by reclaiming unused cutting scraps, and second by employing a pattern that leaves no leftovers.

This collaboration underscores our belief that wasteless fashion is the future of sustainable fashion. It’s a clear demonstration that design ingenuity, artisanal craftsmanship, and eco-conscious practices can coexist to produce truly exceptional garments. As we continue to refine our processes and collaborate with more like-minded partners, we remain dedicated to pushing the boundaries of sustainability—empowering women in leadership, protecting the environment, and crafting beautiful designs that inspire hope and possibility for a zero-waste world.