TexSelect to close after 50 years!

It is surprising and sad to receive news that this will be the last year for TexSelect, after 50 glorious years, though I guess all good things must come to an end. 

In an announcement , TexSelect's honorary Chairman Barbara Kennington explained that due to funding challenges and as many members of the management team are retiring, the charity has reached its decision to close.

"Over 50 years, TexSelect (previously called Texprint) has interviewed more than 10,000 young textile designers and supported more than 1,250 of them to develop their careers and launch into the industry. For a charity entirely reliant on generous sponsors, it’s an achievement of which we are very proud.

"But as the industry changes and sponsorship budgets shrink, TexSelect has found it tough in recent years to raise the funds required. At the same time, many of our loyal and long-serving management team are retiring. And, in the era of social media, designers have evolved new ways to promote their talents and develop themselves. In its 50th year, it seems right, however sad, to bring the TexSelect story to a close.

"That means that TexSelect’s presence at Première Vision Paris this September will be its last trip to the international textile fair, which has given outstanding support to the charity over many years."