Runways
Lakme Fashion Week Delhi x FDCI 2023: Anish Malpani of Label ‘Without’ Wins the Circular Design Challenge
Lakme Fashion Week Delhi x FDCI 2023 witnessed a remarkable achievement as Anish Malpani of label ‘Without’ clinched the title of the 5th Circular Design Challenge (CDC) – India’s biggest sustainability award. This prestigious award event was organized by R|ElanTM, a next-gen fabric brand of one of India’s most prominent conglomerates – Reliance Industries Limited (RIL). The event was also conducted in association with the United Nations in India.
Anish Malpani didn’t just take home the coveted CDC trophy but also received funding worth INR 15 lakhs. Additionally, he was awarded a six-month mentorship program and the opportunity to have a stand-alone showcase at the forthcoming Lakmé Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI in March 2024.
The brand ‘Without’ by Anish Malpani made a significant impact on the audience by bringing great eyewear fashion onto the ramp. However, what stole the show was the revolutionary patent-pending technology that the label introduced. This technology involved recycling discarded Multi-layered Plastic Packaging (MLP) and transforming it into a fashion item, thus demonstrating an exemplary approach towards sustainability.
The Circular Design Challenge (CDC) stands as India’s largest award for designers and entrepreneurs. It aims to recognize and promote circularity, sustainability, and innovation in the fashion and textile industries. Given that these industries are among the highest contributors to pollution, the CDC makes a significant effort to transform this ecologically intensive sector.
The competition was stiff as Felipe Fiallo from the European Union, who was announced as the runner-up, showcased an impressive effort. Felipe, an Ecuador national based in Italy, created a footwear line that brilliantly combined digital fabrication, style, and sustainability. His approach to designing highly unconventional footwear involved blending his creative sensibilities around the bio-mimicry of nature with technology and craftsmanship.
The CDC advocates for various crucial aspects, including the recognition of India’s heritage, the relevance of creating fashion labels with social impact, and the necessity of adopting a circular manufacturing model. This approach aims to advance sustainable practices that address extractive impacts on the environment.
The grand finale of the Lakme Fashion Week was a spectacle to behold. The house of Lakme, with Lakme muses Ananya Panday, Lisa Haydon, Bipasha Basu, Vipasha Agarwal, Simone Singh, Carol Gracias, Alicia Raut, and Shimona Nath, walked the ramp, wrapping up the event on a high note.
This event was not just a celebration of fashion and style but also served as a platform for promoting sustainability in the fashion industry. It was a testament to how fashion can be both stylish and responsible, emphasizing the need for conscious fashion choices in the modern world.
