India’s sustainable fashion movement received international recognition as the Kering Generation Award made its debut in the country during Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI 2026. The award honoured three businesses developing innovative ways to reduce waste and rethink how fashion materials are produced.
The winners were Paiwand Studio, Without® and A Blunt Story, founded by Ashita Singhal, Anish Malpani and Chandni Batra, respectively.
1. Ashita Singhal’s Paiwand Studio Wins First Prize
Noida-based Paiwand Studio won the top award for transforming discarded garment material into new handloom fabrics and embroidery. The initiative combines textile recycling with traditional Indian weaving and craftsmanship, giving pre-consumer textile waste a new purpose.
The studio will receive €50,000 and an opportunity to connect with the international fashion and sustainability industry.
2. Anish Malpani’s Without® Rethinks Recycling
Pune-based Without® secured second place for its work converting difficult-to-recycle waste into useful materials. Its approach uses recycling technology to create alternatives for applications such as textiles, eyewear and packaging.
The venture aims to demonstrate how waste that is difficult to process can become a valuable resource for manufacturing.
3. Chandni Batra’s A Blunt Story Explores Alternative Materials
A Blunt Story, founded by Chandni Batra, received third place for developing plant-based alternatives to conventional footwear materials. Its work explores how material innovation can reduce dependence on traditional, resource-intensive production methods.
The initiative highlights the potential for new materials to reshape the footwear industry.
Fashion Industry Turns Towards Circular Design
The Kering Generation Award India was organised in partnership with Reliance Brands Limited, with the R|Elan Circular Design Challenge serving as its exclusive nominating partner.
All three winners will receive opportunities for international exposure through a fully funded visit to Europe. Their recognition reflects growing interest in circular fashion, where waste is treated as a resource and products are designed with greater attention to environmental impact.
By combining technology, traditional craftsmanship and alternative materials, these Indian innovators are exploring practical ways to make the fashion industry more resource-conscious.