Since its inception in 2018, the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge (CDC) has become a leading platform for emerging talent in sustainable fashion to showcase their circular innovations globally. This year, the global edition of the CDC spans the Asia-Pacific, European Union and UK regions, and will culminate at Lakmē Fashion Week in association with FDCI, this October, in New Delhi, India. Presented by R|Elan™, the next-generation fabric brand from Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), in collaboration with the United Nations in India, the CDC is committed to promoting a greener, more sustainable future by fostering eco-conscious creativity that addresses the pressing issue of waste and the carbon footprint of the fashion industry.
Mr. Hemant D. Sharma, Head – Polyester Sector, RIL, said, “At Reliance Industries, we are committed to being a pioneer in sustainability. The R|ElanTM Circular Design Challenge exemplifies our dedication to fostering innovation and circularity in the fashion industry. By identifying and supporting eco-conscious designers and incentivizing scalable circular solutions, we are working towards a greener future. Our efforts to reduce waste and instil sustainability in fashion reflect our broader goal of creating a circular economy that benefits both the environment and society.”
Mr. Shombi Sharp, United Nations Resident Coordinator in India, said: “In response to the UN Secretary-General’s urgent call to ‘make peace with nature’, the United Nations in India is a proud partner of the CDC. For its second edition, the CDC is once again collaborating with our partners across regions to highlight designers and entrepreneurs practising circularity and sustainability in the fashion and textile industries. Together, we are helping to drive innovations in energy efficiency, closed-loop systems and the use of ethically produced materials, ensuring that social and environmental impacts align with one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”
Jaspreet Chandok, Group Vice President, Reliance Brands, which organises Lakmē Fashion Week in collaboration with the Fashion Design Council of India, said: “Together with R|Elan™ and the United Nations in India, we have built the Circular Design Challenge into India’s premier global award for sustainability and circular fashion. The CDC drives climate action by discovering and mentoring circular fashion designers and innovators, helping them scale and empowering them to make a real impact. Our vision is to transform this platform into a forward-thinking global model of excellence, inviting innovative partnerships across the world.”
The Circular Design Challenge has been instrumental in driving the Indian fashion industry towards eco-consciousness and aims to provide a global platform for sustainable fashion and design talents to find scalable solutions for waste reduction. The CDC originated in India six years ago with a mission to foster emerging talent in the fashion industry. Its first global edition was held last year, expanding its reach and impact.
This year, the international jury rounds kicked off successfully in Milan and the final meeting concluded in Mumbai, India. Each of the jury sessions featured strong proposals from exceptional designers in front of a prestigious panel, which made the selections. The winning designers, who will be the finalists to be presented at the next edition of CDC, are Wenyan Xu of Saltless for the EU, Tsang Fan Yu for the APAC region, Silvia Acién of ACIEN for the UK and Gautam Malik of Jaggery, Ritwik Khanna of RKive City and Chandini Batra of A Blunt Story from India.
The R|Elan™ Circular Design Competition places emphasis on critical sustainability parameters for judging, including biodegradability, durability and multifunctionality of products. To ensure that social and environmental factors are in line with one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the jury evaluates elements such as energy efficiency, closed-loop systems and the use of ethically produced materials.
The APAC, UK and EU finalists will travel to New Delhi, India in October where, along with the Indian finalists, they will present their work in front of a prestigious jury at Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI. The CDC winner will receive funding worth INR 15 lakhs, a CDC trophy and a six-month mentorship programme, along with a standalone showcase at Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI in March 2025. The runner-up will receive funding worth INR 5 lakhs and mentorship.
The winner and runner-up will be mentored by Orsola de Castro, co-founder of Fashion Revolution and creative director of Estethica, and this influential partnership will provide invaluable guidance to the designers.
CDC's cross-border partners include the British Council for the UK, Redress for Hong Kong/Asia Pacific and Istituto Marangoni for the European Union.
Over the past few years, CDC has identified and supported exceptional innovators who integrate fashion with environmentally friendly advancements. Notable winners include Anish Malpani’s Without, which recycles multi-layer packaging to make eyewear; I Was A Sari, which recycles discarded saris to empower women artisans; and Bandit, which has mastered recycling various materials to create eco-friendly fashion products. Additionally, the platform has supported over 25 alumni through workshops and networking, gradually transforming the fashion ecosystem towards sustainability.
