The R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge (CDC), a circular fashion initiative by R|Elan™, the United Nations in India, and Lakmé Fashion Week, hosted its European Jury alongside an exclusive cocktail evening at Le Meurice, Paris, ahead of Paris Haute Couture Week. The event was organised under the India–France Year of Innovation 2026 in collaboration with the Embassy of France in India and the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM).
The European Jury featured leading figures from the global fashion, luxury, and sustainability sectors, including Pascale Mussard, Sara Sozzani Maino, Serge Carreira, Diane Pernet, Anne-Gaëlle Lamort, and Katell Pouliquen. Together, they evaluated six emerging designers from across Europe whose collections showcased innovation in circular design, sustainable materials, and craftsmanship.
The evening also brought together renowned Indian couturiers Manish Malhotra, Gaurav Gupta, and Rahul Mishra, along with Hema Bose, Christoph Rumpf, and representatives from leading French fashion houses, academic institutions, and media organisations. The gathering celebrated international collaboration and the growing momentum of circular fashion.
A key announcement during the event was the selection of Yoshita 1967, founded by Anil Padia, as the European Finalist of the eighth edition of the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge. The brand will now advance to the global finale at the United Nations Headquarters in New Delhi, before showcasing its collection at Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI in October, where the 2026 Winner and Runner-Up will be announced.
The Paris event marked another milestone in the global expansion of the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge, reinforcing its commitment to promoting circularity, responsible innovation, and sustainable fashion through international collaboration.
