The problem with fast fashion is the amount of waste we discard, which ends up in landfills. But 90 per cent of these throw-away items can be re-worn, recycled or upcycled. That's something designer and Mumbai girl Akanksha Kaila Akashi realised, which led her to start Refash, a platform that brings together designers, brands and artisans who create new, contemporary attire and accessories out of post-consumer and industrial waste. You can peruse the collections of shoes made using sarees; jewellery made from discarded marble; clothes made out of factory surplus; and stationery made with old newspapers. "Cities like Mumbai need to lead the way in this kind of a movement primarily because of the amount of waste we generate. We should embrace sustainable solutions for activities that are part of our everyday lives. And a lot of people are on the lookout for alternative solutions to managing waste across all industries," Akashi tells us.

Akanksha Kaila Akashi (left) and Stefano Funari