In the ever-evolving landscape of the fashion industry, Two Point Two, founded by Anvita Sharma, stands as one of the forerunners of a commitment to sustainability. Their garments are crafted from nature’s gifts of flowers and fruit. Additionally, by challenging traditional gender norms in clothing, the brand has pioneered a new wave of streetwear that is inclusive and empowering. We speak with Sharma to delve deeper into her creative journey and the ethos driving her ground-breaking label.
THE LITTLE DESIGNER
Even after four years of studying Economics and Finance, I never felt like I belonged there. Since I was a little girl, when kids played doctor or house, I used to pose as adesigner making clothes for my friends. So, I guess it was a dream since then.
Anvita Sharma (right)
BEHIND THE NAME
While studying, I always knew that whatever I do, would be more than just about clothes. I wanted to use fashion as a platform to stand and support the right things. Hence, I started a genderless brand which goes to the next level beyond the binaries (0 and 1) of gender and hence the 2.2 level. Hence, the name Two Point Two.
THE CONSTRAINTS OF MASCULINE AND FEMININE
I always try to balance femininity and masculinity in my designs. The problem with our society is that we connect femininity and masculinity to sexuality, which is not appropriate. That is why clothes have a gender, wherein they are just man- made constructs, but how can a lifeless piece of material have a gender? The society has defined that and through genderless clothing, one breaks those predefined notions. It’s funny how still at every event we go for, shoppers ask us if we are menswear or womenswear and there is this ‘need’, so to say that forces us to define our label into these categories because of lack of awareness and constraints. But I am hopeful that things would change asthey have a bit already and lead us to a world where everyone is allowed to wear and express however and whatever without any judgements.
RESPONSIBLE FASHION
When I started, my knowledge for responsible fashion was limited to only sustainable fabrics. For example, we use organic cottons, recycled polyesters, fabrics made out of rose, lotus, orange, even milk now. We are still exploring and discovering new fabrics but responsible fashion goes beyond that, which I learnt to master over the years. We work on a zero wastage policy, where we use our production waste in embroideries and packaging materials; of course, we practice fair-wage and ethical employment. Responsible fashion is a way of life rather than just boxes to tick and we are still evolving like everyone should.
Words Paridhi Badgotri
Date 30.05.2024