Celebrating a more circular future for fashion

With circular design and waste-led innovation taking centre stage, the Kering Generation Award made its India debut.

As the fashion industry looks for ways to reduce waste, two initiatives brought sustainability into focus at Lakmē Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI at the Embassy of France in Delhi on October 13.

(L-R) Chandni Batra of A Blunt Story, Ashita Singhal of Paiwand, Anish Maplani of Without (HT/Raajessh Kashyap)

The Kering Generation Award debuted in India, recognising businesses and addressing fashion’s environmental and social challenges. Meanwhile, the R|Elan Circular Design Challenge recognised brands that use waste as a resource.

“Initiatives such as these are vital because they support entrepreneurs, encourage innovation and help build a more sustainable future for the industry,” Ambassador of France to India Thierry Mathou said at the event.

The Kering award went to Paiwand Studio, founded by Ashita Singhal, for turning pre-consumer garment waste into handwoven fabrics. The CDC award was given to MARGN, co-founded by Saurabh Maurya and Ranjit Yadav, that uses textile waste and reclaimed materials to create clothing.