The Circular Design Challenge (CDC) is looking to expand globally, aiming to provide a prominent stage for fashion design talent worldwide by culminating at the upcoming Lakme Fashion Week, in partnership with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI).
CDC will encompass the UK, EU, and APAC regions, extending its invitation to designers from different parts of the world, with sustainability taking center stage in the design challenge keeping focus on parameters such as biodegradability, durability, and product multi-functionality.
Hemant D Sharma, Sector Head (Polyester), RIL stated, “The initiative has played a crucial role in promoting circularity and sustainability in fashion industry, and after four editions in India, we are now going international to promote sustainability, and circular economy adoption globally”.
CDC’s collaborative efforts extend across borders, with partners like the British Council representing the UK, Redress for Hong Kong/Asia Pacific, and Istituto Marangoni for the European Union.
Among the finalists, Pei-Wen Jin from Taiwan stands out from the APAC region, while India’s edition boasts finalists ‘Studio Medium’ by Riddhi Jain and Dhruv Satija, ‘Banofi’ + ‘Studio Beej’ (Consortium) by Jinali Mody and Arundhati Kumar, and ‘Without’ by Anish Malpan.
In October, finalists from APAC, the UK, and the EU will convene in New Delhi to present their creations to the jury at Lakme Fashion Week. The CDC winner will earn a prize of Rs. 15 lakh, a trophy, a six-month mentorship program, and a standalone showcase at Lakme Fashion Week in March 2024.
Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator, India remarked, “The UN and CDC are united in our belief that fashion can and must be both a source of joy, celebrating culture, human expression, and innovation, and a force for greening our world.”
He further added, “Weaving together so many different threads of society and the economy, a more sustainable fashion industry can help drive the achievement of the global SDGs across a rich fabric of value chains and social connections. We look forward to unlocking circular solutions on a global scale with CDC.”
