Earth Day, celebrated every year on the 22nd of April, is a quiet invitation for us to reflect on how we care for our planet. For the world of fashion, this moment of reflection is especially poignant. It is without a doubt that clothing has the power to express, inspire, and connect people globally. However, it also holds the potential to silently devastate our environment and communities. And this is where our consciousness needs to step in and make a steadfast commitment to changing it.
From Tragedy to Transformation: Honoring Earth
Day Through Sustainable Fashion
At RIHLA, sustainability and ethical practices are not a checklist or a seasonal trend to capitalize on for profit. It is much more than that - it is a promise. A promise to the artists, to the wearers, and to the people in the fashion industry.
Our commitment to producing ethically made apparel is actually a commitment to upholding the beauty that respects the earth, to elegance that doesn’t come at the cost of another’s well-being. And there’s one moment in modern history that reminds us why this matters so deeply—the Rana Plaza disaster.
The Day the World Couldn’t Look Away
On a quiet morning in Dhaka, Bangladesh, precisely on April 24, 2013, what should have been another day at work turned into one of the most devastating industrial disasters in modern history. The Rana Plaza building collapsed, killing over 1,100 garment workers and injuring thousands more.
The building was home to several garment factories producing clothing for some of the world's largest brands. This unfortunate tragedy exposed the world of fast fashion and reiterated the need for workplace safety, responsible manufacturing, and ethical practices.
The Rana Plaza Disaster was a sudden but much-needed wake-up call. For the first time, consumers began to ask: Who made my clothes? Under what conditions? At what cost? And that slowly yet steadily led to the birth of a movement that spoke of transparency, ethical sourcing, and sustainability.
What Earth Day Means For RIHLA
At RIHLA, Earth Day isn't just about planting trees or switching off lights. It’s about recognizing the impact of human choices on the planet. And we believe fashion is one of the most resource-intensive industries in the world, thereby needing strong changes to uphold the preservation of the planet.
From water pollution and chemical waste to overproduction and landfill overflow, the fashion industry's environmental footprint is staggering. However, we know that this doesn’t have to continue this way. Fashion doesn’t have to demand cruelty from the very planet that supports our existence.
One of the core principles of RIHLA is fashion made with intention. We don’t just want to mass-produce batches of clothes. We advocate slow fashion, which heals planet Earth.
That is why Earth Day at RIHLA is a moment to reaffirm our values. To return to the roots of our craft. To remind ourselves that true luxury is slow, thoughtful, and respectful.
RIHLA: Woven with Purpose, Rooted in Respect
RIHLA’s collections are handcrafted by skilled artisans who carry forward generational knowledge. Richa, our founder and creative director, firmly believes that craftspeople must be valued, not exploited. Every thread we use, every silhouette we design, is a choice in favor of quality over quantity, of planet over profit.
- We use only natural, chemical-free fabrics that are gentle on skin and the environment.
- Our production is slow and intentional, allowing for fair wages, safe working conditions, and time-honored techniques.
- Each piece is made to last, to be cherished, to move with you—not discarded with the next season’s trends.
The apparel industry contributes 4% of the greenhouse gas emissions. Yes! Read that again. Sustainable fashion is no longer a trend or a new buzzword - it’s a way to revolutionize the fashion industry.
Honoring the Lives Behind RIHLA
As we approach the anniversary of Rana Plaza this Earth Day, we aim to honor the lives lost with affirmative action. At RIHLA, we choose transparency over secrecy. Fairness over speed. Craftsmanship over convenience.
The Rana Plaza Disaster urged for a systemic change. It compelled us to ask the question: Who made my clothes? And here at RIHLA, we are proud to answer that question—with pride, with purpose, with names and faces behind every stitch.
A Future Rooted in Responsibility
The journey toward sustainability is ongoing. But it begins with intention, and Richa ensures that remains the ethos of RIHLA as we move forward.
As a brand, we don’t chase trends. We honor tradition. We design for ease and movement, but never at the expense of the environment or the hands that bring our vision to life.
This Earth Day, and every day, we invite you to join us on our journey of slow and sustainable fashion. Because what we wear matters, and how they are made matters more!
