United Kingdom, July 14, 2026: The R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge (CDC), India’s leading platform championing circular innovation in fashion and textiles, successfully concluded its United Kingdom Jury in London, bringing together globally respected leaders from fashion, sustainability, design and innovation to evaluate this year’s cohort of pioneering circular fashion entrepreneurs. The jury reflected the growing global momentum towards accelerating circularity and responsible innovation across the fashion ecosystem, with its collective expertise playing a pivotal role in identifying solutions capable of reshaping the future of sustainable fashion.
The UK Jury comprised an exceptional line-up of industry leaders, including Matthew Needham, Creative Director of Matthew Needham and Senior Lecturer at Central Saint Martins; Shailja Dubé, Institute of Positive Fashion, British Council; Muchaneta Ten Napel, Founder and CEO of Shape Innovate; Sevra Davis, Director of Architecture, Design and Fashion at the British Council; and Radhika Kaul Batra, Chief of Staff at the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office, India. Together, the jury represented a distinguished cross-section of experts from academia, sustainability, innovation, design and international development, driving meaningful transformation across the global fashion ecosystem.
This year’s UK semi-finalists showcased a diverse range of design solutions that reimagined fashion through the lens of circularity, material innovation and responsible production. Dorota Bojanowska, founder of Dorota Bojanowska, uses screen printing as a tool to give a new life to vintage textiles and garments. Tyler Greenston, founder of Tyler Von Greenston, presented a collection rooted in pagan symbolism and humanity’s relationship with nature, combining zero-waste design principles with sculptural craftsmanship and material-respect philosophies. Farouk Braimoh, founder of RWRK STUDIO, showcased his commitment to rethinking textile waste from other industries into contemporary fashion through circular design, while Heather Martin, founder of mono studio, demonstrated a thoughtful approach to responsible design through modular pattern making & production choices. Porscha Hill, founder of Bad Habits, reimagined fashion waste through garment reconstruction, natural dyeing and low-impact production, transforming pre-existing garments and textile waste into genderless collections that celebrate craftsmanship, longevity and circular design.
Following the jury’s comprehensive evaluation of this year’s UK semi-finalists, the distinguished UK Jury selected RWRK STUDIO by Farouk Braimoh as the United Kingdom Finalist of the eighth edition of the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge in partnership with the UN in India & Lakme Fashion Week.
As the Circular Design Challenge continues to expand its international footprint, the London Jury marks another significant milestone in fostering global collaboration between innovators, industry experts and
sustainability advocates. By convening influential voices from across fashion, design and innovation, the platform continues to identify and elevate breakthrough ideas that champion circular business models, responsible production practices and scalable solutions for a more resilient future. The jury’s diverse perspectives ensure a holistic evaluation of innovations that balance creativity, commercial viability and measurable environmental impact.
Farouk Braimoh, founder of RWRK STUDIO said, “We’re absolutely thrilled to be moving on to the global finals of the Circular Design Challenge. Winning the UK Jury Round is an incredible honour, especially considering the exceptional level of talent and innovation we witnessed throughout the competition. This recognition is a meaningful validation of RWRK Studio’s vision and our commitment to circular design. We look forward to bringing our work to India, showcasing our collection on the global stage, and connecting with an inspiring community of designers who are redefining the future of fashion. We’re deeply grateful to the jury and the organisers for their support, thoughtful feedback, and belief in our work. We’re excited for what’s ahead.”
Mr. Rakesh Bali, Sr. Vice President – PetChem, Reliance Industries Limited said “Congratulations to RWRK STUDIO by Farouk Braimoh on being named the UK finalist. At Reliance, we believe that the boldest voices will write fashion’s next chapter. The R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge, now in its eighth season, stands as our enduring promise to that philosophy—offering young designers the rare combination of mentorship, visibility, and the material innovation to turn circular ideals into tangible craft. As we bring this movement to the global stage through the India–France Year of Innovation 2026, we are honoring two great design traditions while demonstrating that creativity, united with sustainable purpose, can move markets and mindsets. This is India’s idea of circular fashion, at last echoing across continents.”
Jaspreet Chandok, Group Vice President, Reliance Brands Limited, said “Congratulations to this year’s United Kingdom Finalist RWRK STUDIO by Farouk Braimoh and all the exceptional designers who presented such inspiring circular innovations. The UK Jury showcased the incredible depth of creativity and entrepreneurial thinking emerging from one of the world’s leading fashion markets. As the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge continues its global journey, it is inspiring to see innovators from across geographies come together with a shared commitment to redefining the future of fashion through responsible design, material innovation and scalable circular solutions. We look forward to welcoming the UK Finalist to India for the Grand Jury and celebrating the next chapter of this global movement.”
Sevra Davis, Director of Architecture, Design and Fashion, British Council said, “The British Council Architecture Design and Fashion team is honoured to be the U.K. partner supporting the Circular Design Challenge in partnership with the United Nations India. Over the last four years of our partnership, I have seen the programme grow in impact and influence, championing sustainable practice in the fashion and textile industry and making real change. The U.K. finalists this year demonstrate exciting perspectives, thinking and innovation in the future of circular design, positive social and environmental impact as well as scalability.
Following the successful conclusion of the United Kingdom Jury, the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge 2026 will continue its global journey with the Asia Pacific Jury on 24 July and the India Jury on 28 July. The regional finalists will then advance to the Grand Jury at the United Nations Headquarters in New Delhi before presenting their work at the finale showcase at the French Embassy in India during Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI in October, where the Winner and Runner-Up will be announced.
With each regional milestone, the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge continues to strengthen its
vision of building a global community of design innovators committed to redefining the future of fashion through circularity.
About R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge (RCDC)
Launched in India in 2018, the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge (RCDC) is a globally recognised platform dedicated to discovering, nurturing and accelerating the next generation of entrepreneurs, designers and innovators shaping the future of circular fashion. Developed in partnership with Reliance Industries Limited’s R|Elan™, the United Nations in India and Lakmé Fashion Week, RCDC champions solutions that reduce waste and advance circularity across the fashion and textile industry. Through mentorship, industry access and global exposure, the programme supports emerging talent while fostering innovation, collaboration and systems change. RCDC continues to expand its international footprint across India, Europe, the United Kingdom, Asia Pacific and the wider global fashion ecosystem.
About R|Elan™:
R|Elan™ is the next-gen fabric that has been created from specially engineered fibers and yarns using cutting-edge technological expertise, state-of-the-art R&D, and the robust testing systems of Reliance Industries. These smart fabrics have been designed to enhance comfort and aesthetics and it is being increasingly sought-after fabric by renowned domestic and global brands, retailers, and apparel manufacturers. The technologies that power R|Elan™ fabric imparts several attributes such as moisture management, odor-free, and thermal insulation while ensuring that they contribute something back to Mother Earth.
About United Nations in India
The United Nations system in India includes 26 organizations that serve in India. The UN entities, under the overall leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator, provide strategic support to India to help the country achieve its aspirations to end poverty and inequality and to promote sustainable development, in line with the globally agreed Sustainable Development Goal and India’s ambitious vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. UN India supports the Government and people of India in advancing the country’s ambitious commitments to rapid change and development priorities, including its leadership to enhance resource efficiency across sectors, transition to a circular economy and promotion of sustainable lifestyles.
For more information, visit: http://india.un.org/
About Reliance Industries Limited
Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) is India’s largest private sector company, with a consolidated revenue of INR 11,75,919 crore (US$ 124.0 billion), cash profit of INR 1,71,258 crore (US$ 18.1 billion) and net profit of INR 95,754 crore (US$ 10.1 billion) for the year ended March 31, 2026. Reliance’s activities span hydrocarbon exploration and production, petroleum refining and marketing, petrochemicals, advanced materials and composites, renewables (solar and hydrogen), retail, digital services and media and entertainment.
Currently ranked 88th, Reliance is the largest private sector company from India to be featured in Fortune’s Global 500 list of ‘World’s Largest Companies’ for 2025. The company stands 45th in the Forbes Global 2000 rankings of ‘World’s Largest Public Companies’ for 2025, the highest among Indian companies. Reliance has been recognized in Time’s list of the 100 Most Influential Companies of 2024, marking the only Indian company to have achieved this honor twice. Website: www.ril.com
About the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode
The Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM) gathers the world’s most renowned luxury and creative houses, selected for their creativity and unique, innovative expertise and savoir-faire, along with the most talented emerging brands. It organises Paris Fashion Week® and Haute Couture Week, structuring the Official Calendars and its adjacent activities. The FHCM serves a dual mission: as a Professional Organisation, it provides services to its Members and represents them within the professional ecosystem and towards public authorities in France and Europe. As an Event Organisation, it aims to consolidate Paris as the fashion capital of the world. Visit us at www.fhcm.paris and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.
About The French Institute in India, Embassy of France
The French Institute in India (Institut français en Inde), a section of the Embassy of France in India, is dedicated to fostering meaningful people-to-people ties between France and India.
As the cultural, educational, and scientific wing of the French diplomatic mission, IFI drives a wide spectrum of collaborations. These range from promoting academic and scientific partnerships between universities and research institutes, to advancing student mobility and the learning of the French language. IFI also actively connects artists, scholars, NGOs, entrepreneurs, film professionals, publishers, and institutions across sectors.
At the heart of our mission lies a strong commitment to artistic and cultural partnerships—in performance, literature, cinema, fashion, design, and more. IFI regularly convenes forums, festivals, and debates that bring together the brightest minds and creative forces from both nations. For more info: www.institutfrancaisindia.in
