R|Elan Circular Design Challenge 2024 Winner rkive City Presents “Reclaim The City”

MUMBAI:
Reinforcing its commitment to driving sustainability and circularity in the fashion industry, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), through its next-gen fabric brand R|Elan™, in partnership with the United Nations (UN) in India, presented the winning showcase of the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge (CDC) 2024 — “Reclaim The City” by rkive city — at Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI 2025, held at The Atelier, Jio World Convention Centre.

The thought-provoking runway presentation highlighted the CDC’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainable, recyclable, and waste-reducing practices within the fashion ecosystem. rkive city’s debut collection — a meticulously crafted 36-look showcase — explored the theme of memory, revival, and reclamation, transforming post-consumer waste into high-fashion narratives.

Every garment in the collection was constructed entirely from salvaged textiles, reconstructed denim workwear, repurposed leather, and discarded fabrics, brought back to life through neo-manufacturing techniques such as block printing, patchwork, and creative waste management. Old office shirts, once rejected for minor flaws, were reimagined with new patterns, textures, and dyes — celebrating the art of repair and the potential of discarded materials.

“Reclaim The City” was not just a collection but a reflection of the ever-evolving urban landscape — juxtaposing the need for progress with the importance of preserving cultural identity. Elements like reconstructed sleeves inspired by uniforms and pockets reminiscent of market workers’ jackets evoked a strong sense of place, history, and memory.

Speaking on the occasion, Hemant D. Sharma, President – Polyester, Reliance Industries Limited, said: “The R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge is a manifestation of our commitment to sustainability and circularity in the fashion industry. It is heartening to see young designers like rkive city harness creativity and innovation to transform waste into remarkable fashion. At Reliance, we strongly believe in driving change by enabling scalable, circular solutions that reduce the industry’s environmental impact while redefining design narratives.”

Since its inception in 2018, the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge has become India’s leading sustainable fashion platform, nurturing environmental champions who are rethinking fashion’s value chain. By providing mentorship, market access, and industry exposure, CDC continues to propel innovative waste-reduction solutions aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and India’s Mission LiFE initiative.

With its expansion in 2023 to the UK, European Union, and Asia-Pacific, CDC has further strengthened RIL’s vision of catalyzing global change in the fashion industry. The 2025 winning collection by rkive city was a powerful reminder of the industry’s potential to minimize its environmental footprint while creating impactful, design-led storytelling.