R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge 2026 Selects RWRK STUDIO as UK Finalist Following London Jury

Global fashion, sustainability and design leaders evaluate circular fashion innovators as the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge continues its international journey.

The R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge (CDC), India's platform focused on circular innovation in fashion and textiles, completed its United Kingdom Jury in London, bringing together experts from fashion, sustainability, design and innovation to assess this year's UK cohort of circular fashion entrepreneurs.

The UK Jury included:

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
Radhika Kaul Batra, Chief of Staff at the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office, India

L to R Radhika Kaul Batra, Matthew Needham, Farouk Braimoh, Sevra Davis, Shailja Dubè and Muchaneta Ten Napel

The jury evaluated entries representing different approaches to circular fashion, material innovation and responsible production.

UK Semi-Finalists Present Circular Fashion Concepts

The United Kingdom semi-finalists included:

Dorota Bojanowska, founder of Dorota Bojanowska, who uses screen printing to give new life to vintage textiles and garments.
Tyler Greenston, founder of Tyler Von Greenston, who presented a collection inspired by pagan symbolism and humanity's relationship with nature, incorporating zero-waste design principles, sculptural craftsmanship and material-respect philosophies.
Farouk Braimoh, founder of RWRK STUDIO, who showcased circular fashion created by repurposing textile waste from other industries.
Heather Martin, founder of mono studio, who presented modular pattern-making and production approaches.
Porscha Hill, founder of Bad Habits, who focused on garment reconstruction, natural dyeing and low-impact production using pre-existing garments and textile waste.

Following the evaluation, the jury selected RWRK STUDIO by Farouk Braimoh as the United Kingdom Finalist for the eighth edition of the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge, organised in partnership with the UN in India and Lakme Fashion Week.

Winner's Response

Winner Farouk Braimoh, RWRK Studio

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.”

Organisers Comment

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."

Next Stages of the Challenge

Following the conclusion of the United Kingdom Jury, the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge 2026 will continue with the Asia Pacific Jury on 24 July and the India Jury on 28 July.

Regional finalists will then participate in the Grand Jury at the United Nations Headquarters in New Delhi before presenting their collections during the finale showcase at the French Embassy in India as part of Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI in October, where the Winner and Runner-Up will be announced.

According to the organisers, the challenge continues to bring together designers working on circular business models, responsible production and material innovation through its international jury process.