The Embassy of France in India and the French Institute in India, in partnership with Reliance Industries Limited, the United Nations in India and the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, are pleased to announce a special Indo-French edition of the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge to be held in 2026, as part of the India-France Year of Innovation.

Originating in India and developed in collaboration with the United Nations in India and Lakmē Fashion week, the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge has emerged as an international platform that supports young designers and entrepreneurs in India and globally, working at the intersection of fashion, sustainability, and innovation. By encouraging circular design practices across the fashion and textile value chain, the initiative nurtures new generations of designers committed to responsible and forward-looking approaches.

The 2026 edition will reflect a shared ambition between France and India to strengthen collaboration in sustainable fashion and creative innovation. With French fashion celebrated worldwide, and the growing presence of Indian designers in the Paris Fashion Week calendar, this partnership seeks to highlight a common need to rethink, produce and create differently. Following the “Textile Matters: Woven stories between India and France” exhibition that ended on 4th January in Paris, showcasing, among other works, fashion silhouettes that illustrate the mixed influences between France and India, the French Embassy is keen to team with a renowned Indian platform such as R|ElanTM CDC to give a new platform to young talents who will grow into the next generation of makers and passeurs . 

As part of this collaboration, French designers in sustainable and circular fashion will be identified and the Regional European Jury will be held in Paris this summer, in close collaboration with the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode which has agreed to be the institutional partner for this year. The initiative will also constitute a dedicated Indo-French jury with prestigious French fashion industry professionals. The partnership will culminate in the international finale and fashion showcase of the R|ElanTM Circular Design Challenge, to be held during Lakmē Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI in Delhi in October 2026, with the showcase hosted at the Embassy of France in India.

This collaboration underscores the role of cultural and creative industries in addressing global sustainability challenges and strengthens long-term dialogue between French and Indian institutions in the field of fashion and innovation.

About the French Institute in India, Embassy of France in India
The French Institute in India (Institut français India / IFI), 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.ifindia.in

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 X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.

About Reliance Industries Limited:
Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) is India’s largest private sector company, with a consolidated revenue of INR 10,71,174 crore (US$ 125.3 billion), cash profit of INR 1,46,917 crore (US$ 17.2 billion) and net profit of INR 81,309 crore (US$ 9.5 billion) for the year ended March 31, 2025. 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, making it the only Indian company to have achieved this honour twice.

Website: www.ril.com

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 are being increasingly sought after by renowned domestic and global brands, retailers, and apparel manufacturers. The technologies that power R|Elan™ fabric impart several attributes such
as moisture management, odour-free, and thermal insulation while ensuring that they contribute something back to Mother Earth.

About Lakmē Fashion Week
Lakmē Fashion Week is India's premier fashion & lifestyle event curating experiences and redefining fashion for over 25 years. With over 100 designers, brands & industry stakeholders interfacing every season through the 5 days of showcases, Lakmē Fashion Week has established itself as the hub for emerging talent, sustainability and business of fashion.

About United Nations in India
The United Nations system in India includes 26 organizations that serve in India. The UN provides strategic support to India to help the country achieve its aspirations to end poverty and inequality and promote sustainable development in line with the globally agreed SDGs. The UN also supports India, as the world’s largest democracy, in the country’s ambitious commitments to rapid change and development priorities, including its leadership to enhance resource efficiency across sectors, transition to circular economy and promote sustainable lifestyles. 

For more information, visit: http://india.un.org/