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The fashion industry is one of the main contributors to environmental problems, from the production of raw materials to waste from finished products. Not wanting to be silent, the movement to make the fashion industry greener began to appear sporadically. One of them is voiced by SukkhaCitta, a local fashion label, which was founded in 2016. Denica Riadini, the founder of the label, wants to contribute by bringing back the glory of domestic cotton. "Based on the data, 99 percent of the cotton in Indonesia is imported. Right now it is important for us to be able to return the wealth that Indonesia has because planting mother's cotton is very interesting," he said at a virtual press conference, Friday, April 22, 2022.

After going directly into the field, he realized that there was a long journey from the production of a piece of clothing. He saw how the mothers in the village made clothes made of cotton based on knowledge passed down from generation to generation.

Through her label, she wants to be a bridge between the instant-paced urban society and the women in the village who make cotton clothes. The symbiosis is expected to improve the welfare of the craftsmen while caring for nature.

"I myself never imagined before that there would be a long journey, starting from the garden to the clothes we wear everyday by going to villages to see women making clothes with cotton from a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation," said Denica.

Betram Flesch, co-founder of SukkhaCitta explained, the process starts from cotton seeds planted in the ground and develops into cotton trees. Cotton is harvested and processed into yarn. Next, threads are woven into cloth before finally making clothes.

"We are happy with the process because that way, clothes that are processed from cotton can return to the ground if they are no longer used. Later, they can be used as food for animals on the ground," he explained.

SukkhaCitta works with a number of women farmers and artisans in the village to grow cotton in an environmentally friendly manner. They apply the principle of intercropping, namely planting cotton with other crops to complement each other.

"So, 20 types of plants are planted together so that they can be in symbiosis. That way, they no longer need chemicals such as pesticides or fertilizers. All of this is beyond organic," he explained.

Based on studies, the symbiosis between plants in one habitat can heal the soil. Farmers no longer need to buy expensive chemicals, and can increase cotton production up to six times.

"That's what Healing Mother Earth means, Healing Ourself through healing the soil. We live from the earth, if the earth is not healthy, how can we want to be healthy?" said Denica.

The journey of cotton into cloth was exhibited through the exhibition Cotton: Healing Mother Earth, Healing Ourselves which was held from April 15 to May 15, 2022 at Ashta 8. Through this exhibition, the public was educated about the good and bad of the fashion industry.