India Emerges as Global Hub for Ethical Small-Batch Apparel Manufacturing
Small and mid-sized fashion brands are shifting 30–40% of their apparel sourcing from China to India, attracted by India's sustainable, ethical, and flexible small-batch manufacturing. NoName Global reports a 60% increase in inquiries, highlighting India's growing role in the global ethical fashion supply chain.
Small and mid-sized fashion brands from the US, Europe, and the Middle East are increasingly moving their apparel production to India, with industry data showing a shift of 30–40% of sourcing from China to India over the past two years. NoName Global, a sustainable private-label garment manufacturer based in India, has seen a 60% rise in inquiries from global brands, reflecting India's rising importance in the ethical fashion supply chain. Brands are drawn to India's strengths in small-batch, high-quality, and eco-friendly production, as well as its flexibility in minimum order quantities, sustainable materials, and ethical labor practices. Indian mills have adopted cleaner processes and certifications such as GOTS, OEKO-TEX, and Fair Trade, meeting global environmental standards. NoName Global integrates these materials and practices, with over 70% of its new customers in 2024 prioritizing sustainability. The company's vertically integrated model covers design, sampling, fabric sourcing, manufacturing, and quality control, enabling custom and white-label solutions for emerging brands, D2C labels, and regional fashion houses. India's manufacturing sector is also investing in digitization, traceability, and social compliance audits, providing greater supply chain transparency for global buyers. Analysts predict that 30–40% of small-brand production currently in East Asia may relocate to India over the next five years, as India positions itself as a reliable, future-ready partner for global apparel brands.
