Marks & Spencer shortlisted three designers for its Texprint Fashion Textile Award

The winner to be announced at Premiere Vision Designs, Paris on September 20

Lucy Day.  Photo by Lucia Carpio

Lucy Day, pictured left, along with Olivia Qi and Roberta Fox are the three designers who have been shortlisted to compete for the new Marks & Spencer Texprint Fashion Textile Award.

They were selected by relevant heads of design at M&S in a selection process.

The winner of this new award, who will receive £1,000 and a paid three-month internship with the M&S print design team, will be announced at Première Vision Designs in Paris on September 20, along with those of other awards at this year's TEXPRINT competition.

Marks & Spencer has long been a keen supporter and foundation sponsor of Texprint. The new Award, according to Libby Allan, Trend Lead, Womenswear & Lingerie, at M&S, will allow the retailer to establish a relationship with a young designer that they hope will evolve beyond the Award itself.




All trained in Britain, the three shortlisted designers are among the 24 that TEXPRINT has selected following a rigorous interviewing  of over 230 applicants submitted by British colleges and universities at both BA and MA levels.

As in previous years, the 24 TEXPRINT selected designers showcased their work in London at a preview presentation earlier this year in July.

In an interview with TEXPRINT, Allan of M&S said “These days it’s not just about the work but also how the work is presented. When you’re in the industry you have so many people to convince – an ability to present your work effectively becomes really important. Textiles is such a good grounding for a designer because you learn all about texture and colour usage.”

Each year, TEXPRINT showcases 24 design graduates who have shown outstanding skill and artistry in their chosen discipline, and who have impressed the Texprint interview panels with their creativity and desire to succeed in the professional world.  Texprint’s aim is to promote their skills to the industry, to media, and to the related organisations that can help their career launch.

Photos © Lucia Carpio 2017 

London's Textile Council names Carlo Volpi their new member

Texprint, the London-based charity that nurtures, supports and promotes UK textile design graduates and organises an annual competition for new talent, has announced that one of their alumni - Italian knitwear designer Carlo Volpi - as the newest member on the Texprint Council which meets twice yearly to monitor and review how the charity is performing against its aims an objectives.

Volpi, who was a Texprint designer himself in 2012, loves vibrant clashes of colour, creative stitches and textures.  According to Texprint, there is a joyous and celebratory element to his work, describing Volpi's work as upbeat, exuberant, happy.    Barbara Kennington, honorary chairman of Texprint, says: “Carlo is such an original talent. We’re delighted he brings his energy and passion to the Texprint Council.”

Every year, Texprint invites one alumnus to present his or her work at the entrance to the Texprint London Preview event.  Carlo Volpi was the designer of choice for  the 2017 event held in July.

Volpi has already achieved wide ranging success.  While working to build his own label, he also collaborates with leading brands, and is a consultant for the Research Area at Pitti Filati. 

Among his recent achievements was winning first prize in the prestigious Who Is On Next? Uomo competition, promoted by Vogue Italia and Pitti Immagine (Italy's fashion trade fair organisers). 

The judges highlighted his “marked technical and innovative skill combined with a brilliant interpretation of Italian manufacturing traditions in a unique knitwear project with an international look.”

Vogue Italia raved about Volpi’s Autumn/Winter 17/18 collection, calling it “totally wild – a concentrate of youthful enthusiasm.” Volpi commented “My point of reference is irreverence. I am interested in the parameters we use to define what we consider attractive or ugly.”

All photos © Lucia Carpio 2017.