The fourth edition of Circular Design Challenge (CDC) – India’s largest platform and award for design entrepreneurs working in Circular Fashion, an initiative by R|ElanTM Fashion for Earth, in association with FDCI x Lakmé Fashion Week and United Nations and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has announced a shortlist of six emerging design entrepreneurs. The winner will be declared post a final competitive round on March 24th – Sustainable Fashion Day, at the FDCI x Lakmé Fashion Week in New Delhi.
This season, the platform transcended borders to encourage international nominations in partnership with British Council & Studio MM04 for UK and Germany respectively. The program received over 55 applications from across India as well as United Kingdom and Germany. The final six start-ups were shortlisted following a rigorous online pitch and evaluation process that considered circular design, environmental & social impact, business plans and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The finalists – CHAMAR by Sudheer Rajbhar, Humanity Centred Designs by Vishal Tolambia, Pieux by Pratyush Kumar, Sanah Sharma by Sanah Sharma, SATAT by Radhika Malhotra and Thaely by Ashay Bhave will present their case and collections to the final jury in a bid to join the league of previous winners of the platform – ‘I was a Sari’ from season 1, ‘Malai’ from season 2 and ‘Bandit’ from season 3.
Commenting on the fourth edition of Circular Design Challenge, Mr Vipul Shah, COO – Petrochemicals Business, Reliance Industries Ltd, said, “We started the Circular Design Challenge, to accomplish the vision of our chairman Mr Mukesh Ambani, to turn India into a world leader in adoption of sustainable and green manufacturing practices. Over the past four seasons, the popularity of the Circular Design Challenge has grown exponentially. It has now become a big movement in the Indian fashion industry which is nurturing talent in the sustainable and environment-friendly sphere. The Circular Design Challenge has been a tremendous success in India, and we are now contemplating to expand its scope globally.”
The six finalists were selected by an esteemed jury comprising Archana Datta, SCP and Circular Economy Expert – Asian Institute of Technology, Darshana Gajare, RISE Worldwide, Karishma Shahani, Design Mentor, Pranav Khanna, Business Mentor, and Rakesh Bali, Reliance Industries Ltd. The finalists will be nurtured through various mentorships that will equip them with knowledge and skills across design and product development, business and marketing, circularity principles and life cycle analysis. These mentoring sessions aim to empower them to be true agents of change through their business and innovations.
Basis the mentorship programs, each of the six entrepreneurs will be expected to present a pitch to the jury live on Sustainable Fashion Day at FDCI x Lakmé Fashion Week. This final winner selection, for the first time, will include a segment where the public can vote, and results will be added to the main score. The people’s choice polling is aimed to provide a greater reach for the finalists and make circularity a household conversation.
Atul Bagai, Head, United Nations Environment Programme Country Office, India, said “The UN Environment Programme is committed to providing strategic leadership and encouraging sector-wide collaboration to accelerate a transition towards a sustainable and circular textile value chain. In collaboration with UN in India, we are pleased to continue our partnership with the 4th edition of the ‘Circular Design Challenge’, to identify and encourage talented designers advancing circular design in India. This year, UNEP has taken a step forward by mentoring the finalists of CDC on key aspects such as Sustainable Fashion Communication and Use of Science-based Tools and Lifecycle Thinking. We congratulate all participants and the finalists for their innovative thinking and passion for bringing about a positive change. ”
Reliance Industries Ltd.’s R|ElanTM will felicitate the winner with Rs 20-lakh cash prize to convert their sustainable fashion idea into an impactful business reality. The winner will also get an exclusive opportunity to showcase their sustainable collection at the next FDCI x Lakmé Fashion Week, in addition to valuable industry exposure and linkages. The winning trophy, to be introduced for the first time, will be made from discarded wood and metal, and will be designed by CDC 2021 winner, Satyajit Vetoskar of Bandit.
Jaspreet Chandok, Head RISE Fashion and Lifestyle said, “With the fourth edition of CDC, we are happy to have been able to transcend borders and connect with a wider audience. Our commitment towards circularity and sustainability has also led us to partner with British Council & Studio MM04 of Germany so as to spread the message of CDC to global markets and circular entrepreneurs. We are thankful to R|Elan™ and UNEP for their continued support season on season that has made Circular Design Challenge such a prestigious platform in the country.”
