Global, December, 2025 — India's sustainable fashion sector is undergoing a structural shift moving from a materials-export model toward a full-stack ecosystem spanning design, production, branding, and retail according to research from Coherent Market Insights (CMI) presented at SustainableNXT 2025 in Gurugram.

Mr. Mohit Shrivastava, AVP – Research & Consulting at CMI, shared these findings as a featured speaker at the event, in a session titled "Strategic Fashion Leadership: Using Insight and Regulation to Drive Sustainable Growth." The event, held at Le Méridien Gurugram, brought together sustainability leaders, policymakers, brands, and manufacturers to discuss the future of fashion in an era of rising environmental accountability and regulatory scrutiny.

By the Numbers: Global and Regional Growth

CMI's analysis put the Global Sustainable Fashion Market at US$ 9,194.2 Mn in 2025, with a projected CAGR of 9.9% through 2032, when it is expected to reach US$ 17,769.2 Mn. Growth is being driven by rising environmental accountability, conscious consumerism, and tightening regulatory requirements across the apparel and footwear industries.

Asia Pacific is projected to be the fastest-growing region, with a CAGR of approximately 11.7%, as manufacturing bases expand and sustainability mandates strengthen across emerging economies.

India's sustainable fashion market, valued at US$ 296.2 Mn in 2025, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.6% to reach US$ 721.4 Mn by 2032 — a 2.4X increase that translates into an estimated US$ 425.2 Mn in new market opportunity over seven years.

Where the Opportunity Lies

CMI's research pointed to specific category dynamics shaping India's fashion retail landscape. Apparel remains dominant: fashion and clothing stores accounted for roughly 40% of total retail leasing activity across India's top seven cities in Q1 2024. Footwear, meanwhile, is a fast-growing complementary category, with the overall market estimated at US$ 12–18 billion. Per capita footwear ownership rose from 1.9 to 2.1 pairs between FY20 and FY25, with men's footwear contributing nearly 58% of category sales — signaling room for innovation in sustainable materials and circular design.

Gaps That Still Need Closing

Despite the growth trajectory, CMI's research flagged real constraints: gaps in circularity infrastructure, recycling capacity, and traceability architecture. Closing these gaps through supply chain modernization and policy-aligned investment, the research suggested, will be critical if India is to strengthen its global leadership position in sustainable fashion over the next decade.

The session also addressed how market intelligence and regulatory insight can help brands and manufacturers build strategies that are competitive and future-ready, while balancing sustainability goals against commercial performance and navigating shifting compliance frameworks.

About SustainableNXT 2025

SustainableNXT 2025 is a conference and exhibition platform focused on advancing sustainable practices across fashion, apparel, textile, and footwear. It brings together brands, manufacturers, policymakers, and sustainability leaders to discuss circularity, responsible sourcing, and scalable green innovation. The event was held at Le Méridien Gurugram on December 11, 2025.

About Coherent Market Insights

Coherent Market Insights (CMI) is a global market intelligence and consulting firm headquartered in India, with operations in the U.S. and strategic partnerships in the U.K. and Japan. CMI supports clients in over 32 countries through 300+ full-time consultants and a domain-expert network spanning 24 countries.

For more information, visit www.coherentmarketinsights.com