The R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge (CDC) 2026 reached another global milestone as its European Jury convened in Paris on 5 July 2026, selecting Yoshita 1967, founded by Anil Padia, as the European finalist.
Hosted at Le Meurice on the eve of Paris Haute Couture Week, the event formed part of the India–France Year of Innovation 2026 and was organised in collaboration with the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM) and the Embassy of France in India. The gathering brought together leading figures from fashion, sustainability and the creative industries to evaluate six emerging designers advancing circular fashion.
The evening featured keynote addresses by Pascal Morand, Executive President of FHCM, and Jaspreet Chandok, Group Vice President of Reliance Brands Limited, highlighting the growing collaboration between France and India in promoting sustainable fashion and supporting emerging designers.
The European jury included Pascale Mussard, Sara Sozzani Maino, Serge Carreira, Diane Pernet, Anne-Gaëlle Lamort, and Katell Pouliquen, representing leading organisations across fashion, luxury and sustainability.
Six Designers Presented Circular Fashion Concepts
The jury evaluated six semi-finalists from across Europe, each showcasing unique approaches to circular design, responsible sourcing and craftsmanship.
The participating brands included:
- Coccellato (France) by Iman Coccellato
- Yoshita 1967 (France) by Anil Padia
- PLNGNS (Germany/Ukraine) by Dmytro Hontarenko
- Matthieu Ruiz (France)
- BÉHEN (Portugal) by Joana Duarte
- FLORANIA (Italy) by Flora Rabbiti
The collections incorporated deadstock fabrics, regenerated materials, artisan craftsmanship, innovative fibres and circular production methods.
Yoshita 1967 Advances to Global Finale
The jury selected Yoshita 1967 as the European Finalist, recognising the label’s people-first approach to circular fashion through artisan-led production and cross-cultural collaborations spanning Paris, Nairobi and Delhi.
Founder Anil Padia said the recognition reinforces the brand’s belief that circularity can shape the future of fashion and expressed enthusiasm about representing Europe at the Grand Jury in India later this year.
Industry Leaders Back Circular Innovation
Speaking on the occasion, Rakesh Bali, Senior Vice President – PetChem, Reliance Industries Limited, congratulated the winning designer and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to nurturing emerging fashion talent through the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge.
Pascal Morand noted that innovation in fashion now extends beyond creativity into new materials and business models, while also highlighting the strengthening relationship between France and India.
Jaspreet Chandok described the Paris jury as an important milestone in the challenge’s international expansion and emphasised its role in creating a global platform for responsible design and material innovation.
The event was attended by prominent names from the fashion industry, including Rahul Mishra, Gaurav Gupta, Manish Malhotra, Hema Bose, Christoph Rumpf, along with representatives from French fashion houses, academia and media.
Next Stops in the Global Challenge
Following the European jury, the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge 2026 will continue with:
- United Kingdom Jury – 9 July 2026
- Asia Pacific Jury – 24 July 2026
- India Jury – 28 July 2026
Regional finalists will advance to the Grand Jury at the United Nations Headquarters in New Delhi, before presenting their collections during Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI in October, where the Winner and Runner-Up of the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge 2026 will be announced.
The initiative continues to build an international network of designers committed to advancing circularity, innovation and sustainability across the global fashion industry.
