THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

PARIS, JULY 7, 2206

Yoshita 1967, the France-based label founded by Anil Padia, has been named the European Finalist of the R|Elan Circular Design Challenge (CDC) 2026, emerging as the winner from six outstanding semi-finalists at the prestigious European Jury held in Paris. The selection marked a major milestone in the global circular fashion initiative, which brought together leading international experts from the fashion, sustainability and creative industries to recognise innovative approaches to responsible design and material innovation.

The R|Elan Circular Design Challenge (CDC), the flagship circular fashion initiative by R|Elan, the United Nations in India and Lakmé Fashion Week, brought together some of the world's leading voices in fashion, sustainability and design at its European Jury event in Paris, reinforcing its commitment to advancing circular innovation in the global fashion industry.

Held on July 5 at the iconic Le Meurice on the eve of Paris Haute Couture Week, the exclusive jury session and cocktail evening marked a key milestone under the India–France Year of Innovation 2026. The event was organised in collaboration with the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM) and the Embassy of France in India, with six outstanding semi-finalists presenting their pioneering circular fashion concepts before an eminent international jury.

The evening featured keynote addresses by Pascal Morand, Executive President of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM), and Jaspreet Chandok, Group Vice President, Reliance Brands Limited. Both speakers highlighted the growing collaboration between France and India in promoting circular fashion and creating global opportunities for emerging designers through the R|Elan Circular Design Challenge.

The distinguished European Jury comprised Pascale Mussard (Vice-President, The Fondation Hermès and President, Villa Noailles), Sara Sozzani Maino (Creative Director, Fondazione Sozzani), Serge Carreira (Director, Emerging Brands Initiative, Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode), Diane Pernet (Founder & Director, ASVOF), Anne-Gaëlle Lamort (Sustainability Innovation Lead, Kering) and Katell Pouliquen (Editorial Director, Marie Claire France).

Representing some of Europe's most promising emerging designers, the six semi-finalists showcased diverse approaches to responsible design, material innovation and craftsmanship. France-based Coccellato, founded by Iman Coccellato, presented contemporary eveningwear crafted exclusively from deadstock luxury fabrics. Yoshita 1967, founded by Anil Padia, demonstrated a people-centric model of circularity through artisan-led production, handmade techniques and cross-cultural collaborations spanning Nairobi, Paris and Delhi.

PLNGNS, founded by Germany and Ukraine-based designer Dmytro Hontarenko, showcased an experimental circular ecosystem that transforms discarded sneakers and fashion waste into gender-neutral streetwear. Paris-based designer Matthieu Ruiz explored the use of natural dyes, deadstock textiles and artisanal craftsmanship to create garments centred on longevity and heritage. Portugal's BÉHEN, founded by Joana Duarte, revived antique textiles, regional embroidery and deadstock fabrics for contemporary women’s wear, while Italy's FLORANIA, founded by Flora Rabbiti, presented a regenerative design philosophy using discarded garments, innovative fibres and material research.

The highlight of the evening came with the announcement of Yoshita 1967, founded by Anil Padia, as the European Finalist for the R|Elan Circular Design Challenge 2026.

Rakesh Bali, Sr. Vice President - PetChem, Reliance Industries Limited, said, "Congratulations to Yoshita 1967 by Anil Padia on being named the European Finalist. His work reflects the spirit of the R|Elan Circular Design Challenge — proof that circularity can be a powerful engine for creativity. At Reliance, through R|Elan™, we are proud to nurture emerging talent across the fashion value chain, from the fibres we engineer to the global platforms we create for the designers shaping fashion's more sustainable future."

Expressing his gratitude, Anil Padia, Founder of Yoshita 1967, said, "I am honoured to be selected as the European Finalist for the R|Elan Circular Design Challenge 2026. France has played a defining role in my creative journey since I moved to Paris in 2013 to study at the École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture Parisienne (now Institut Français de la Mode). Over the past five years, I have built my practice between France and Nairobi, inspired by diverse cultures and a shared commitment to responsible craftsmanship. This recognition reinforces our belief in the power of circularity to shape the future of fashion. I am grateful to the distinguished jury and look forward to representing Europe at the Grand Jury in India later this year."

The event also witnessed the presence of several renowned personalities from India and France, including fashion designers Rahul Mishra, Gaurav Gupta and Manish Malhotra, along with Hema Bose, Christoph Rumpf and representatives from leading French fashion houses, academic institutions and media organisations, underscoring strong international support for sustainable fashion and emerging talent.

Pascal Morand, Executive President, Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM), added, "We are very proud to be a partner with this program because of the incredible work it is doing. It was a great jury, and selecting the winner was very difficult given the high caliber of participants. As we look at fashion and couture, we see so much creativity and art, but also new changes with emerging business models and materials. It is essential not only to celebrate creativity but also to identify true innovation. I am also very happy to see the growing relationship between France and India becoming stronger and more developed."

Jaspreet Chandok, Group Vice President, Reliance Brands Limited, said, "The European Jury in Paris marked an important milestone in the global journey of the R|Elan Circular Design Challenge, bringing together an exceptional community of leaders from fashion, sustainability and the creative industries to celebrate the next generation of circular innovation. We congratulate Yoshita 1967 by Anil Padia on being selected as the European Finalist and look forward to seeing the brand join an outstanding cohort of innovators at the Grand Jury in India later this year. As the Challenge continues to expand its international footprint, it reinforces our commitment to creating a global platform that champions responsible design, material innovation and the future of circular fashion."

Following the European Jury, the R|Elan Circular Design Challenge 2026 will continue with the United Kingdom Jury on July 9, the Asia Pacific Jury on July 24 and the India Jury on July 28. Regional finalists will advance to the Grand Jury at the United Nations Headquarters in New Delhi before showcasing their collections during the finale at the French Embassy in India as part of Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI in October, where the Winner and Runner-Up of the R|Elan Circular Design Challenge 2026 will be announced.

With every regional milestone, the R|Elan Circular Design Challenge continues to strengthen its vision of building a global community of designers committed to redefining the future of fashion through circularity, innovation and responsible design.