Press Releases

New Designers 2010 – TEXTILE TRENDS

Showcasing the best of graduate design
From architecture to animation, furniture to fashion, graphics to glass

WEBSITE: www.newdesigners.com

DATES:
PART 1: 1-4 July 2010 – Textiles; Fashion & Accessories; contemporary Applied Arts; Ceramics & Glass; Jewellery & Precious Metalwork.

PART 2: 8-11 July 2010 – Product Design; Furniture; Visual Communications (including Graphic Design & Illustration; Spatial Design.

Anyone with an interest in textiles, interiors, fashion and next season’s trends should make a note to visit New Designers. The long running show (celebrating 25 years this summer) launches the careers of the best design graduates from across the UK’s design courses. Part 1 features designs for textiles, surface pattern and fashion  accessories as well as applied arts and graphics. The event regularly attracts buyers and prospective employers representing international brands as well as curators and stylists wanting to tap into fresh ideas and undiscovered talent.

Amongst this year’s textiles exhibitors within New Designers special One Year On feature area are Claire McInally, whose collection at New Designers in 2009 was spotted by Oasis and will be in-store this Spring. Caroline Gauci has established an ethical business, working with weavers in Cambodia using Ikat technique to create the Home Addict collection of silk cushions and wall hangings. Bright colour and intricate pattern seems on trend for 2010. Sarah-Jayne Guest employs digital printing to create brightly coloured, highly patterned home furnishings. Meanwhile Krishna Madana fuses traditional Indian hand embroidery with bold prints and vibrant colours. 

Launching their careers straight from universities and colleges are some 3,500 graduates. Such is their creativity that work includes DIY and household appliances created in fabrics (see Charley Welch from Arts University College Bournemouth). Scottish colleges are using the local traditions and geography to inspire collections: Jennifer Tait’s digital patterns refer to Shetland knits and lace. Nostalgic themes are also evident – see Natalie Pearce’ British Holiday portfolio.  This is just a minute sample of what to expect.  



Amongst the illustrious names to first come to public attention at New Designers are Matthew Williamson and Ella Doran. Last year innovative fashion designer Nicola Morgan won the BDC New Designer of the Year award in Part 2 and went on to win the prestigious Mittelmoda prize.  Printed textile designer Paul Roden, a mature student at the Glasgow School of Art, won the BDC New Designer of the Year Part 1 for his fairground inspired collection of exuberant interior textiles.

Representatives from the textile industries support New Designers, sponsoring the awards and offering much valued placements. Harlequin, Graham & Brown, Tigerprint and Hallmark Cards and The Clothworkers’ Company have long associations with New Designers.  Award winners Francesca Martin and Abigail Borg has since gone on to start their own businesses.

The satellite event within New Designers -One Year On showcases a specially selected group of some small companies  and individual designer-makers whose work has matured and progressed in the first year in business. Following the success of One Year On in 2009, the feature will be curated again by manufacturer and distributor Thorsten van Elten. Regularly attracting the attention of retail buyers, stylists and galleries the feature is one of the most popular elements at New Designers.

School Days provide inspirational visits for 6th form pupils to gain an insight into the UK’s varied design courses and potential career options.

Looking forward to New Designers 2010, the show’s director Isobel Dennis comments, “New Designers is the freshest and most vibrant show of its kind bringing together the very best in UK graduates design, showcasing the work, energy and talent of the next generation of designers.  In this economic climate, young designers are hot property for anyone wishing to bring fresh blood into their businesses.  Their creativity and transferable skills are crucial.  New Designers’ committed and forward thinking supporters recognise and value their association with an event that continues to introduce creative and smart thinking talent into the workplace.”

ENDS –

Notes to editors

EVENT:   New Designers 2010
VENUE:  Business Design Centre,
52 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 0QH

1-4 & 8-11 July 2010
Thursday to Saturday 11am-6pm; Sundays 11am-4pm
www.newdesigners.com

The industry acclaimed New Designer Award and VIP Previews take place on the evenings of Wednesday 30 June and Wednesday 7 July 2010.

www.newdesignersonline.co.uk is a portal to a wealth of design talent in every design discipline. The website features individual designers and design businesses who launched their careers at New Designers. Designers’ work is available to purchase direct or to commission for bespoke projects.

Advance press information about designers who have been selected for One Year On will be available from mid March 2010.  Enquiries from stylists, picture editors and feature contributors will be welcomed.

For further information please contact:
Karoline Newman, Articulate Communication
Tel: 020 7287 1922; knewman@articulate.co.uk