Indian designer Anish Malpani won the Circular Design Challenge 2023 in partnership with The United Nations for his innovative recycled designs. Malpani showcased an eyewear collection for his brand ‘Without’ on the runway at Lakmé Fashion Week x Fashion Design Council of India.

Malpani presented a collection which used recycled discarded Multi- Layered Plastic packaging to create UV-polarised eyewear from recycled packets of chips, Lakmé Fashion Week announced in a press release. The collection featured Malpani’s patent pending technology to offer a truly circular product. 
 
“The world is facing a triple planetary crisis of pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change,” said the UN’s resident coordinator for India Shombi Sharp in a press release. “The Circular Design Challenge demonstrates that fashion can be a powerful driver for responsible production and consumption, weaving together style and sustainability. It also resonates with the global Lifestyles for Environment (LiFE) movement, recently endorsed by the G20, and the increasing urgency of environmentally conscious lifestyles and consumer choices. The CDC and LiFE are important threads in the UN partnership tapestry, and we are thrilled that the CDC is bringing its message to the global catwalk for the first time. This reflects the centrality of India as a leader in both sustainable culture and climate action. Where India, and its fashion industry goes, the world will increasingly follow.”

The showcase took place in New Delhi as part of Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI which ran from October 11 to 15 at the Pragati Maidan. The Circular Design Challenge is designed to promote sustainable innovation in the fashion industry and recognise up-and-coming designers. 
 
“After witnessing the growing participation and appreciation for CDC over the last five years, taking CDC to the global stage aligns perfectly with our vision of promoting sustainable fashion worldwide,” said Reliance Brands’ group vice president Jaspreet Chandok. “Together with R|Elan™ and the United Nations in India, we have elevated the Circular Design Challenge to become the biggest sustainability platform within the country. As we move forward, our focus is on making this platform an even greater success on an international scale, alongside our global partners and welcome creative minds from around the world join us in our mission to promote sustainable fashion.”