Seven fashion and textiles projects by students taking part in New Designers

Dezeen School Shows: a sustainably designed running shoe with replaceable and reconfigurable modular components is included in Dezeen’s latest school show by New Designers.

Also included is a collection of garments informed by how people’s use of nature and landscapes is limited by access laws and an embroidery project focusing on craft techniques that takes cues from themes of both femininity and the grotesque.

School: New Designers

Statement:

“New Designers is an annual London showcase of the UK’s most innovative emerging design talent.

“Since its inception 39 years ago, New Designers has provided a platform for over 3,000 graduates every year to present their visionary ideas to industry professionals and the public.

“The event takes place over two weeks, with different disciplines highlighted in week one and week two, spanning fashion, textiles, furniture, product design, illustration and more.

“The show is hosted at at the Business Design Centre in London, with week one taking place from 26 to 29 June and week two taking place from 3 to 6 July.”

Silver Linings by Romy Fraser Reid

“Within this collection, a bridge forms between the fleeting trends and enduring styles prevalent in contemporary fashion.

“An exploration into the psychology of metallics’ recurrent allure inspires the collection’s application of natural materials and metal embellishments, aiming to empower those who wear it.

“Abstract, textural prints embrace the organic textures and patterns seen throughout nature, while creating a fusion of modern and luxury textiles through print and handcrafted processes.

“A focus on controlled craftsmanship includes hand-beading as well as screen-printing with foil, aqua-suede and flock to create value and textural depth.

“Through this collection, tactility blends with modern sophistication, offering empowerment through fashion.”

Student: Romy Fraser Reid
School: Edinburgh College of Art
Course: BA (Hons) Textiles

Vessels of Resurgence by Grace Richardson

“Vessels of Resurgence is a collection of woven sculptures depicting the inevitable process of decay and rebirth in nature.

“Pulling inspiration from eco-burial and traditional shrouds, each piece symbolises the ways in which nature takes over after death.

“The selected image depicts the transition between autumn and winter.

“Grace chooses her materials intentionally, focusing on natural fibres used for burial shrouds that fully decompose – such as linen, cotton and wool.

“By using a combination of 3D embroidery techniques such as stump work and white work, the form takes on a life of it’s own.”

Student: Grace Richardson
School: Royal School of Needlework
Course: BA (Hons) Hand Embroidery

The Feminine Grotesque by Bonnie Magee

“I understand the word ‘feminine’ to be associated with the beauty of organic form, nature, strength and the exploration of emotion

“Exploring the grotesque, I observed preserved organs and taxidermy during museum visits, as well as exploring nature and capturing natural forms.

“I connect with these themes through materiality, process and communication through stitch.

“Highlighting the beauty that comes from the uncomfortable, my work is constantly combining the body with the natural world.

“Using mixed embroidery methods, I translate the textures and forms into samples, which provide both a narrative and inspire silhouettes that reference wearable art and historical costume.

“Additionally, illustrative embroidery translates forms of creatures and animals, inspired by emotive storytelling and the dark history of fairy tales.

“Within my collection, materials have been sourced ethically, using offcuts and donations, kindly supported by Ayrshire-based company MYB textiles, which produces Scottish lace.”

Student: Bonnie Magee
School: Glasgow School of Art
Course: BA (Hons) Textile Design

Ode to Kay by Emily Nell Vickers

“Ode to Kay is an exploration of colour, abstract patterns and heritage.

“An essential element of this project is defeating the stereotype that natural colour is dull, proven by developing a collection without the use of synthetic dyes that are often derived from petrochemicals.

“The project lead to research and experiments with natural extracts to create a diverse range of lightfast print pastes.

“All fabrics used are dead stock linen sourced from the interiors industry.”

Student: Emily Nell Vickers
School: University of Brighton
Course: BA (Hons) Fashion & Textile Design

Untitled by Sam Holmes

“The goal of this project was to establish a strong connection between my profound love for nature and the creation of distinctive jewellery pieces.

“To authentically express this bond, I recognised the significance of immersing myself in natural settings and crafting jewellery directly inspired by the places that resonate with me.

“In my pursuit of inspiration and a fresh approach to capturing nature in jewellery, I ventured out of the workshop.

“Armed with my homemade portable setup and a handful of basic tools, I sought out specific locations to explore how my jewellery-making and creativity would be influenced by these environments.

“I then took each piece back into the workshop to refine a small collection out of the inspiration from each location.”

Student: Sam Holmes
School: Manchester School of Art
Course: BA Product Design & Craft

Our forbidden land/Our restricted wild by Emily Brown

“The availability of natural spaces and our access to them is crucial for fostering a profound connection between humans and the wild, empowering us to care for our planet.

“However, public exclusion from common land exacerbates the detachment from nature.

“In England, extensive privatisation limits public access, evident in ubiquitous ‘private’ signs, fences, and CCTV warnings.

“Only eight per cent of land allows activities, hindering camping and other pursuits.

“Using my passion for natural materials, knitting, macrame, crochet and hand construction, this project explores themes such as trespass, land privatisation, industrialisation, and their impacts on biodiversity.”

Student: Emily Brown
School: De Montfort University
Course: BA (Hons) Fashion Textile Design

ModuRun by Lewis Broughton

“ModuRun aims to improve the sustainability of running shoes by adopting a modular design where the shoe can be taken apart, adapted for different terrains, and recycled and reused at the end of its life.

“It must still function like a normal running shoe while adopting materials that will not end up in landfill at the end of its life, helping to minimise waste created by the ever-growing footwear industry.

“ModuRun focuses on two of the UN sustainability goals: consumption and production, and climate action.

“The idea promotes responsible consumption and production and will help to bring back more meaningful, sentimental value and longevity to products in a world of ever-changing trends and innovation.”

Student: Lewis Broughton
School: Bournemouth University
Course: BA/BSc (Hons) Product Design, BSc (Hons) Design Engineering

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and New Designers. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.