Yoshita 1967 Named European Finalist at R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge 2026 in Paris

European Jury selects Yoshita 1967 by Anil Padia as finalist as global circular fashion initiative continues its international programme

The R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge (CDC), a circular fashion initiative by R|Elan™, the United Nations in India and Lakmé Fashion Week, convened its European Jury on 5 July 2026 at Le Meurice, Paris, ahead of Paris Haute Couture Week. Held 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.

The European Jury evaluated six semi-finalists representing emerging fashion brands focused on circular design, material innovation and responsible craftsmanship. Yoshita 1967, founded by Anil Padia, was selected as the European Finalist for the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge 2026.

Yoshita 1967

European Jury Meets in Paris

The jury session brought together representatives from the global fashion, sustainability and creative industries to assess six designers advancing circular fashion practices.

The event included keynote addresses by:

Pascal Morand, Executive President, Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM)
Jaspreet Chandok, Group Vice President, Reliance Brands Limited

Both speakers reflected on the growing collaboration between France and India in circular fashion and the opportunities being created for emerging designers through the programme.

European Jury Members

The European Jury comprised:

Pascale Mussard – Vice-President, The Fondation Hermès; 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
Katell Pouliquen – Editorial Director, Marie Claire France

Six Designers Presented Circular Fashion Concepts

The European semi-finalists represented a range of approaches to circular design and material innovation:

Coccellato (France), founded by Iman Coccellato, presented eveningwear created exclusively from deadstock luxury fabrics.
Yoshita 1967 (France), founded by Anil Padia, showcased artisan-led production combining handmade techniques and collaborations across Nairobi, Paris and Delhi.
PLNGNS (Germany/Ukraine), founded by Dmytro Hontarenko, presented genderless streetwear produced from discarded sneakers and fashion waste.
Matthieu Ruiz (France) demonstrated garments developed using natural dyeing, deadstock textiles and artisanal craftsmanship.
BÉHEN (Portugal), founded by Joana Duarte, highlighted the use of antique textiles, regional embroidery and deadstock materials.
FLORANIA (Italy), founded by Flora Rabbiti, presented garments developed using discarded clothing, innovative fibres and circular design systems.

Yoshita 1967 Selected as European Finalist

Following the presentations, the European Jury selected Yoshita 1967, founded by Anil Padia, as the European Finalist for the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge 2026.

Anil Padia (Founder of Yoshita 1967)

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.”

Anil Padia, Founder of Yoshita 1967, added:

“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.”

Industry Participation

The event was attended by fashion professionals and representatives from India and France, including:

Rahul Mishra
Gaurav Gupta
Manish Malhotra
Hema Bose
Christoph Rumpf

Representatives from French fashion houses, academia and media also attended.

Pascal Morand, Executive President, Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM), said:

“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.”

Next Stages of the Challenge

Following the European Jury, the programme will continue with:

United Kingdom Jury – 9 July
Asia Pacific Jury – 24 July
India Jury – 28 July

Regional finalists will advance to the Grand Jury at the United Nations Headquarters in New Delhi before presenting their work during the finale at the French Embassy in India, held alongside Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI in October, where the Winner and Runner-Up of the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge 2026 will be announced.