Indian fashion designer Anamika Khanna has been appointed to the European jury of the R|Elan Circular Design Challenge (CDC) 2026, making her the only Indian designer on this year's Paris-based panel. The jury will convene in Paris on July 5, 2026, to evaluate emerging designers from across Europe who are working on circular fashion, material innovation, and responsible design.
Global Platform for Sustainable Fashion
The Circular Design Challenge is organized under the India–France Year of Innovation 2026 and is supported by R|Elan, the United Nations in India, Lakmé Fashion Week, the Embassy of France in India, and the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode. Khanna, who is the Creative Director and Co-Founder of Anamika Khanna and AKOK, will join an international panel of fashion leaders to select a European finalist.
The selected finalist will advance to a global mentorship programme before presenting at the Grand Jury in New Delhi and the finale at Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI in October 2026. This initiative aims to foster circularity and sustainability in the fashion industry by supporting new voices who are rethinking the entire fashion system.
Khanna's Vision for Circularity
“Craft has always been at the heart of my practice, and circularity feels like a natural extension of that philosophy. What excites me about the Circular Design Challenge is how it brings together new voices who are not just designing fashion but rethinking its entire system. It is a privilege to be part of a platform that is shaping a more conscious future for our industry,” said Anamika Khanna.
Khanna's appointment highlights her longstanding commitment to sustainable fashion and her role in promoting responsible design on a global scale. The challenge is expected to attract innovative designers focused on reducing waste and promoting eco-friendly practices in fashion.
