Excelsior Correspondent
Mumbai, Oct 11: Celebrating innovation and circularity in global fashion, the R|Elan
Circular Design Challenge (RCDC), India’s largest sustainability award for fashion, returned this season at Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI, held at Mumbai.
The event was a joint initiative by Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and the United Nations in India, the program continues to be a pioneering force in advancing material innovation and sustainable design thinking.
Powered by R|Elan, RIL’s next-generation fabric brand, the Challenge aligns with the company’s long-term vision of achieving net carbon neutrality by 2044, driving circular economy solutions across the textile and apparel ecosystem.
This year’s edition received over 160 applications from 10 countries, underscoring RCDC’s growing global stature as a platform for circular fashion innovation.
Representing India were Varshne B (CRCLE), Radhesh Agrahari and Muskaan Sainik (Golden Feathers) and Rishabh Kumar (Farak).
From the UK, Italy and Argentina, the finalists included Maximilian Raynor and Martina Boero (Cavia) and Jesica Pullo (BIOTICO).
Emerging as the winner, Varshne B took home the R|Elan Circular Design Challenge Trophy, a seed fund of Rs 15 lakh, and a 6-month bespoke mentorship with Orsola De Castro and her team at Estethica.
Golden Feathers was declared the runner-up, receiving Rs 5 lakh and mentorship support.
The winner will also be awarded a standalone showcase at Lakm? Fashion Week x FDCI in March 2026.
Speaking on the occasion, Hemant D Sharma, president, Polyester Business, RIL said, “India is uniquely positioned to lead the global dialogue on circular fashion. Through the R|Elan Circular Design Challenge, we are redefining sustainability for the next generation and creating a tangible pathway for the industry’s future.”
Speaking on behalf of the United Nations in India, Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator, said, “This is the future of fashion where innovation meets creativity and churns out designs with circularity at the core. The United Nations has partnered with R|Elan since 2018 and I am excited to witness how designers are tackling the environmental challenge.”
The Grand Jury 2025 featured an eminent panel including Kimi Dangor, Kulsum Shadab Wahab, Orsola De Castro, Payal Jain, Serge Carreira and Shombi Sharp, who evaluated the finalists’ work based on creativity, innovation and sustainability impact.
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