Circular Design Challenge launches second edition

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Oct 25, 2019

The Indian sustainable fashion design award the “Circular Design Challenge” has launched its second edition and applications are now open. A winner will be selected from a group of six finalists who will receive special mentorship.

The second Circular Design Challenge launched this week and applications from sustainable fashion brands in India are open until November 15, the event announced in a press release. Applicants will have to showcase both innovative design and a sustainable and eco-friendly production process. The winner of the award will showcase a collection at Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2020, a cash prize of Rs. 20 lakhs ($28,175) from Reliance Industries Ltd., and a business mentorship from Intellecap.

The UN Environment Program has partnered with the award for the second time. The organisation is working to increase circularity in the fashion industry as part of its Sustainable Development Goals. 

“The tremendous successes and recognition to ‘I Was A Sari’ has inspired many young talents to participate in the second edition of Circular Design Challenge, who are inquiring with us and eagerly awaiting the launch,” said Reliance Industries Ltd.’s Petrochemicals Business COO Vipul Shah in the award’s press release. “Their wait is over now as we launch the second edition of Circular Design Challenge… We are eager to see the innovative use of materials and designs that will bring out sustainability and circularity, aesthetics and scalability aspects.”  

The first edition of the Circular Design Challenge took place last year and the brand I Was a Sari won first place. The brand creates clothing from second hand sarees and, as part of its prize, showcased a collection at Lakme Fashion Week in August 2019. The brand also showcased a collection at the 4th United Nations Environment Assembly held in Nairobi in March 2019.

“Winning Circular Design Challenge was a turning point for our brand,” said the founder of I Was a Sari, Stefano Funari in the event press release. “Our ecosystem has grown bigger and we are now working with more partners confidently to reach our potential. We are now playing an active role in the global movement and dialogue on sustainability and circularity.”