R|Elan shortlists six finalists for Circular Design Challenge’s second global edition

The R|Elan Circular Design Challenge has shortlisted six finalists for its sustainable fashion contest following international jury rounds for the UK, EU, APAC, and India regions. The shortlisted designers 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.

“At Reliance Industries, we are committed to pioneering sustainability,” said Reliance Industries Limited’s sector head for polyester Hemant D. Sharma in a press release. “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 inculcate sustainability in fashion reflect our broader goal of creating a circular economy that benefits both the environment and society.”
 
The Circular Design Challenge launched six years ago and last year marked its first ever global edition. The contest’s global finalists will travel to New Delhi in October where they will meet with the India finalists for the final round of judging.
 
“Together with R|Elan™ and the United Nations in India, we have made Circular Design Challenge India’s largest global award for sustainability and circular fashion,” said Reliance Brands’ group vice president Jaspreet Chandok. “CDC pushes the needle on climate action by discovering and mentoring circular fashion designers and innovators, helping them scale and empowering them to drive real impact. We envision transforming this platform into a global beacon of forward-thinking excellence, inviting groundbreaking partnerships worldwide.”
 
In October, the Lakmé Fashion Week x Fashion Design Council of India jury will choose a CDC winner. The prize for the contest includes Rs 15 lakh in funding, the CDC trophy, a six-month mentorship program, and a stand-alone showcase at Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI in March 2025. The contest’s runner-up will also receive Rs 5 lakh in funding.
 
“Responding to the UN Secretary-General’s urgent call to ‘make peace with nature’, the UN in India is a proud partner of the CDC,” said the United Nations’ resident coordinator for India Shombi Sharp. “For its second edition, CDC is once again joining hands with our partners in the various regions spotlighting designers and entrepreneurs, who practice circularity and sustainability in the fashion and textile industries. Together, we are helping drive innovations in energy efficiency, closed-loop systems, and the use of ethically produced materials, ensuring that the social and environmental impacts align with one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”