What’s Good, India? | From A Small-Town Designer Making Gucci To Entrepreneurs Turning Tomatoes & Plastic Into Fashion

Fashion isn’t just about trends—it’s about courage, creativity, and impact.

From a small-town boy designing for Gucci and Dior, to a young entrepreneur turning tomato waste into luxurious vegan leather, and a father-son duo transforming discarded PET bottles into chic, waterless-dyed blazers — this week’s edition of What’s Good, India? Celebrates innovators who are blending style with sustainability

This Week’s Spotlight: Top 3 Stories of the Week

Once Mocked for His Accent, Today He Designs for Gucci & Dior

Saurabh Pandey was once the boy who never fit in. Born in a small village in Uttar Pradesh, his dreams didn’t match the expectations around him. As the eldest of three, everyone expected him to become a doctor or engineer, while his heart was set on fashion.

Moving to Mumbai, he shared a tiny chawl with his father, working 12-hour shifts at a mall just to survive, while chasing his design dreams. Opportunities came hard, and his Awadhi accent and village roots often made him stand out. At his first job, he faced mockery and was eventually fired.

Then came the pandemic. Back in his village, pressure to marry weighed on him. But Saurabh made a bold choice: to accept himself openly and unapologetically. To his surprise, his parents embraced him, and that moment became his turning point.

In the next five years, he designed for Gucci, Prada, and Dior. Later, he began creating content, transforming the very Awadhi that once drew ridicule into his greatest strength.

Today, millions laugh with him, grandmothers bless him, and his story carries one powerful message: when you accept yourself, the world follows.

26-YO Turns Tomato Waste Into Eco-Friendly Leather, Replacing Animal Leather in Fashion

Shoes and bags made from tomatoes—that’s exactly what won The Bio Company (TBC) the Best Innovation in Textile at the PETA Vegan Fashion Awards in 2021.

At just 26, founder Pritesh Mistry turned tomato waste into a sustainable alternative to leather. India produces around 44 million tons of tomatoes annually, with 30–35% going to waste.

TBC uses the skin and seeds—rich in pectin, natural oils, and fibers—to create Bioleather, a PU- and PVC-free, biodegradable material with a leather-like texture.

Mistry’s journey began as a final-year biotechnology project in Mumbai. Visits to polluting tanneries and farms overflowing with food waste inspired him to find a better way. After months of experimentation, he developed a process to blend tomato by-products with plant-based binders and natural fibers, producing a durable, eco-friendly leather alternative. 

Since launching ‘Original Bioleather’ in 2019, TBC has partnered with suppliers across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh to repurpose tomato waste.

At TBC’s Surat plant, around 5,000 meters of Bioleather are produced monthly, with plans to scale as demand grows—all while keeping sustainability at the core.

From discarded tomatoes to stylish, ethical products, TBC proves that innovation and eco-consciousness can go hand in hand.

30 PET Bottles = One Chic Blazer! How Father-Son Duo Turns Waste Into Fashion

India generates 9.3 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with 7.75 lakh tonnes produced daily.

Tackling this challenge, K Sankar and his son Senthil are recycling over 15 lakh PET bottles every day through their Tamil Nadu-based company, Shree Renga Polymers, while turning waste into style via their clothing brand, EcoLine.

Their process begins with collection and sorting: 50,000 ragpickers across five states gather bottles, which are then cleaned, crushed into flakes, and melted at 300°C. The molten plastic is stretched into polyester fibre, spun into yarn, and woven into fabric. EcoLine’s signature dope dye technology infuses colour directly into the fibre, eliminating water use in dyeing—a major innovation for sustainable fashion.

It takes eight PET bottles to make a T-shirt, 20 for a jacket, and 30 for a blazer. The clothing line, priced between Rs 500 and Rs 6,000, is not only eco-friendly but also stylish and practical.

EcoLine gained national attention when PM Narendra Modi wore a blue sadri jacket made from 25 recycled bottles in Parliament, taking it along on international visits to Japan and Australia.

With an annual revenue of Rs 12 crore and a loyal customer base across five states, EcoLine shows that fashion can be sustainable, profitable, and impactful—proving that discarded plastic can be transformed into something truly remarkable.

Week in a Wink: What Made News On Social Media

The story of Varsha Patel from Maihar, Madhya Pradesh, feels cinematic—but it’s real. Just 20 days after giving birth, with her stitches barely healed, Varsha walked into the MPPSC interview cradling her newborn daughter, Shrija, in her arms. That courage and determination left a mark on everyone present.

Her journey hasn’t been easy. After her father’s sudden death in 2015, her family moved from Damoh to Maihar, disrupting her education. Yet, she never gave up on her dream of becoming an officer.

In 2017, she married Sanjay Patel, who fully supported her—even quitting his managerial job to help her focus on studies. After relentless preparation and five attempts, her hard work paid off: Varsha secured the 11th rank in MPPSC-2024 and earned the post of DSP.

Her story is a powerful reminder: with determination, no obstacle—motherhood, loss, or challenges—can stop you from achieving your dreams.

Dr Nandini Bhowmik, Kolkata-based Indologist, thespian, and Sanskrit professor, has shattered patriarchal norms by becoming the first female priestess to lead a Durga Puja.

Her journey began with a simple question: “Why can't I officiate my daughter's wedding?” Despite societal resistance, she mastered the art of performing religious ceremonies. “When I first started, I encountered more resistance from women than from men,” she shared.

Today, as the leader of Shubhamastu, a group of 16 female priests, Bhowmik officiates weddings, shraddhas, and rituals, blending tradition with modern touches like Bengali songs and Tagore’s works. “We explain the meaning of rituals while preserving age-old traditions. It has been a big hit,” she told TOI.

Her work is redefining sacred spaces, inspiring many to challenge societal norms, and paving the way for a more equitable world.

India’s highest-grossing animated film didn’t come from a big studio or corporate backing—it was made in a tiny studio over five grueling years, including two COVID lockdowns.

Ashwin Kumar and his team risked everything—their savings, their home, even mortgaging it—to bring Mahavatar Narsimha to life. “We heard ‘no’ from so many people… But we believed in the story and the animation. This is not a cartoon; it’s for grown-ups too,” Ashwin told Telugu FilmNagar.

Their vision was to shatter the stereotype that Indian animation is only for kids, aiming to build India’s first animated cinematic universe rooted in mythology, rivaling Disney and Marvel.

The film has now crossed ₹200 crore worldwide, beating international blockbusters and proving that Indian animation can deliver universal stories with global appeal.

Mahavatar Narsimha isn’t just a hit—it’s a revolution in storytelling.

🎬Inspiration In Motion: Watch This! 

He left his village to cook in Mumbai kitchens. Today, the internet calls him a star.

From chef to fan-favourite, Dilip’s journey is a heartwarming reminder that talent, grit, and a little kindness can change everything.

💬 Quote of the Week

""Fearless doesn't mean careless. There is a thin line between fearless and careless. I think we need to play fearless"

 — Smriti Mandhana

Photo of the Week

Help a Changemaker: With Just Rs 5,000, You Can Gift Freedom to Girls in Mirzapur — and Empower Their Villages

In Dhanaita, Mirzapur, girls walk 10 km through dense forest just to reach school. Every step is shadowed by fear — wild dogs, uneven paths, and isolation. Yet, children like 11-year-old Khushnama Banno persevere. “If I stay home, how will I become a doctor?” she asks.

Her determination is unwavering, but for many, the distance is a barrier too steep.

The Lala Bhagwandas Trust, led by Neeti Goel, is offering a simple yet transformative solution: cycles. For Rs 5,000, you can gift a girl a cycle — complete with a light, dupatta guard, and carrier basket — giving her independence, safety, and a chance at education.

In past distributions, the impact was immediate. Girls treated their cycles with reverence, seeing them as life-changing tools. Today, the initiative aims to support 100 girls across seven villages — Dhanaita, Piprahi, Dhanupur, Bidapur, Taktakpur, Fulha, and Bagha — enabling them to attend school safely and chase their dreams.

Your contribution not only empowers girls but also strengthens communities. It also gives you a chance to receive an exclusive invite to Optum Presents The Better India Showcase, supported by the M3M Foundation, in Delhi on 18 September 2025.

Between these girls and their dreams stands a 10 km forest. Help them pedal their way to freedom.

[Gift A Cycle — Donate Now]

📅 What’s Happening – Upcoming Events & Opportunities

Purani Dilli Walo Ki Baatein

Step into the lanes of Old Delhi like never before.

Join Abu and Purani Dilli Walo Ki Baatein for heritage and food walks that uncover untold stories, hidden monuments, and iconic flavors.

Experience the city’s history, culture, and street food — from long chirey to dori kebabs — through the eyes of a local who knows every corner.

Sign up for the next walk 

🎥 Weekend Cheer List

Unbroken: The Unmukt Chand Story

Unbroken is a poignant documentary that chronicles the rise, fall, and ongoing struggle of former Indian cricketer Unmukt Chand.

Once hailed as the next Virat Kohli after captaining India to the U-19 World Cup victory, Chand’s career unravelled under the weight of early fame and unmet expectations.

His debut IPL match, where a Brett Lee delivery exposed his vulnerability, marked the beginning of a rapid decline.

The film uses a nonlinear narrative, weaving between Chand’s childhood in Mehrauli, New Delhi—where his talent was nurtured by his parents, uncle, and coach—and his present life in the United States, where he and his wife, nutritionist Simran Khosla, grapple with uncertainty. 

Despite excelling in local leagues, Chand struggles to secure a place in the US national team.

Unbroken captures intimate moments of their life together, the emotional toll of unfulfilled dreams, and subtle critiques of the distractions that came with early success. The documentary stands as a deeply moving reflection on resilience, ambition, and the elusive nature of closure.

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That's a wrap for this week! Until next time, stay curious, stay fearless, and keep believing in the power of change.