The TEX+ 2025 Awards were officially announced at the TEX+ Showcase Private View, held at London's Chelsea College of Arts, celebrating exceptional innovation, technical skill, and commercial potential from the UK’s most promising graduating textile designers.
 |
| British designers Zandra Rhodes (third from left) and Orla Kiely (second from right) with TEX+ Trustees, from left to right: Katie Greenyer, Joanna Bowring, Clare Johnston, Jeremy Somers (Chair), and Gill Gledhill |
Winners were selected from a cohort of 25 finalists, representing institutions including Central Saint Martins, Glasgow School of Art, Manchester School of Art, and more. The evening also featured a keynote address by world-renowned trend forecaster Lidewij Edelkoort, marking her first public appearance in the UK in several years.
.jpg) |
| Philip Fimano of Trend Union/Studio Edelkoort and Trend Forecaster Lidewij (Li) Edelkoort |
Among the standout winners was Beth Lingard of Leeds Arts University, who received multiple honours, including the £500 Sanderson Art in Industry Prize for Commercial & Market Potential, the Sahara Prize—which includes £500, a one-month placement at Sahara, and a design purchase opportunity—and The Pattern Cloud Prize, offering one year’s free access to The Pattern Cloud Graduate Plan.
 |
| Beth Lingard |
From Central Saint Martins, Amber Fry was awarded the £1,000 TEX+ Trustees’ Prize for Sustainability & Ethical Practice, as well as the Mary Restieaux Prize, which includes a private studio visit, mentorship, and hand-dyed silk yarns.
 |
| Amber Fry with TEX+ Trustee Gill Gledhill |
The Liberty Studio Prize was awarded to Esme Whitton of UWE Bristol School of Art, including a studio visit and three-month mentorship with access to the Liberty archive.
 |
| Esme Whitton |
Winnie Sowter of Edinburgh College of Art received the Helga Goldman Prize for Innovation & Creativity, which comes with a £1,000 cash award.
 |
| Winnie Sowter |
Severine Seidl of the Royal School of Needlework was named the recipient of the TEX+ Trustees’ Prize for Technical Excellence.
 |
| Severine Seidl |
 |
| Yingruo Cao |
 |
| Aidan Morris |
The Pentland Prize was jointly awarded to Yingruo Cao of London College of Fashion and Aidan Morris of Glasgow School of Art.
Ashe Vine of Arts University Bournemouth took home the Bay & Brown Prize, which includes an online floral print course and portfolio session with Tracey Brown.
 |
| Ashe Vine |
Celebrated trend forecaster Lidewij Edelkoort remarked:
“The future is incredibly bright when I see so many students courageously confronting the major challenges of our time—rethinking materials, reshaping systems, and reviving crafts. At TEX+, we witness a new generation not just dreaming of change, but designing it.”
Formerly known as Texprint, TEX+ is the UK’s leading platform for emerging textile talent. With a 50-year legacy of supporting graduates in fashion, interiors, and material innovation, TEX+ offers real opportunities through internships, mentoring, and professional development, while fostering a thriving community of textile specialists.
Finalists were judged across five core pillars: Innovation & Creativity, Technical Excellence, Sustainability & Ethical Practice, Commercial & Market Potential, and Cultural & Social Impact.
Jeremy Somers, Chair of TEX+, said:
“Every year we’re amazed by the depth of talent coming through, but the 2025 cohort has truly raised the bar. These designers are not only technically skilled but are also engaging with some of the most urgent conversations in design today—from sustainability to storytelling, identity to innovation. The TEX+ prizes are about celebrating that talent and providing vital recognition and support as these graduates step into the industry.”
Now a registered charity, TEX+ continues to be supported by leading figures in the textile and design world, including British designers Orla Kiely, Emma J Shipley, and Peter Ackroyd MBE, Chairman of the Campaign for Wool. Alumni have gone on to work with global brands such as Chanel, Nike, and Liberty, or have founded acclaimed studios including Wallace & Sewell and Quinton Chadwick.
All images from TEX+
No comments:
Post a Comment