IDC 2025 Grand Final Hits Singapore Next Week – Meet the Finalists
Countdown to the Grand Final: Meet the Finalists Competing for the Title
UK winner: Martha Lawton from Manchester Metropolitan University
We are thrilled to announce Martha Lawton of Manchester Metropolitan University as the winner of this year’s International Design Competition UK final. Martha will go on to represent the UK at the International Grand Final in Singapore, bringing her powerful and thought-provoking project, At the River, to a global stage.
Responding to this year’s theme, “Creativity in Adversity,” Martha impressed judges Katy Fisher and Dairine Nethercott of Abraham Moon & Sons with her deeply personal and original exploration of environmental pollution and sustainable textile practices. Her project highlights the toxic impact of synthetic dyes on our waterways, drawing inspiration from Alden Wicker’s To Dye For, her own wild swimming experiences, and research into natural dyeing methods.
Martha used foraged plants and natural materials to create a rich, tactile colour palette, reflecting the beauty and fragility of river ecosystems. Her work not only showcases the creative possibilities of natural dyes and wool but also offers a moving commentary on water pollution, memory, and material change.
The UK final was beautifully hosted by Abraham Moon & Sons, where finalists enjoyed an exclusive tour of the historic mill, gaining insight into its heritage, craftsmanship, and the team behind its enduring legacy.
Congratulations to Martha, whose work truly embodies creativity, resilience, and a drive for positive change in the textile industry.
Ireland Winner: Sofia Pennington from National College of Art & Design
On 12th June, SDC President Stuart Wilkinson attended the Ireland Heat of the SDC International Design Competition 2025 at the National College of Art & Design (NCAD) in Dublin.
Six talented students showcased their innovative work, and the winner was Sofia Pennington with her exceptional design project, “Arid Origins.”
ARID ORIGINS is a high-end womenswear textile collection that redefines contemporary luxury through sustainability, craftsmanship, and environmental awareness. Drawing inspiration from the arid landscapes of Morocco, Sofia’s work explores the delicate balance between natural beauty and environmental fragility in the face of climate change.
A huge thank you to our wonderful panel of judges, who not only assessed the entries but also inspired the students by sharing insights into their careers:
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Susie Page, an experienced textile designer specialising in wovens and Head of Design & Sales at Magee Weaving Ltd.
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Deirdre Williams, an accomplished professional in the fashion, textile, and retail sectors, and founder of her consultancy Stitch Saves Nine.
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Amy Kerr, the 2022 SDC International Design Competition winner, now based in Enschede, the Netherlands, where she is pursuing a postgraduate degree in Innovative Textile Development (MSc) at Saxion University of Applied Sciences.
Special thanks also go to Andrew Campbell and Rachel Tuffy from NCAD, and long-serving SDC Member Paul Santokhi, for their invaluable work in organising the event.
Congratulations once again to Sofia Pennington, and best of luck to her as she represents Ireland in the Grand Final of the SDC International Design Competition 2025 in Singapore later this month!
Vietnam Winner – Veronica Duong Ho Van from RMIT University
Representing RMIT University – Vietnam, Veronica Duong Ho Van delivers a compelling response to the fashion industry’s urgent environmental and ethical challenges. Her project confronts the deep-rooted issues of labor exploitation and greenwashing, using material innovation and cultural storytelling to imagine a more sustainable path forward.
Set against the backdrop of ongoing global crises and inspired by the symbolism of the pomelo—a fruit that appears vibrant but can rot beneath the surface—Veronica’s work critiques the fashion industry’s polished exterior and hidden injustices. In contrast, her project offers hope through regenerative practices rooted in Vietnamese culture.
At its core is kombucha leather, a biodegradable material made from fermented tea. Veronica pairs this innovative fabric with natural plant-based dyes sourced across Vietnam, including artichoke (Đà Lạt), green tea (Tây Bắc), turmeric (Nghệ An), and butterfly pea flower (Huế). These choices celebrate local identity while reducing environmental harm associated with synthetic dyes.
Her final garment is both zero-waste and modular, inspired by the circular vessels used to cultivate kombucha. By using 100% of the material with no leftover scraps, and designing it to be worn in multiple ways, Veronica extends the garment’s life cycle and challenges fast fashion’s throwaway mindset.
Veronica’s project is a powerful call for ethical, culturally grounded design—one that respects both people and the planet.
New Zealand Winner – Lingfei Ashley Hu from Massey University
Ashley Hu’s project explores the revival of traditional Chinese craft through the contemporary use of plant-based dyeing. In a world where modern technology often sidelines cultural heritage, Ashley addresses the crisis of fading traditions, market polarization, and environmental concerns. By blending traditional Chinese dyeing techniques with New Zealand invasive plants, her work reimagines craft as a bridge between cultures, generations, and sustainability.
Positioning her work in the underdeveloped mid-range market, Ashley aims to make craft both accessible and emotionally meaningful. Her project highlights how plant dyeing—rooted in human-nature relationships and regional identity—can serve as a sustainable cultural medium, linking heritage with innovation. It’s not just about preserving the past, but reshaping the future of design through creative resilience.
India Winner – Sneha Tibrewal from School of Fashion Technology
“The one who sustains, holds life even in adversity.” Sneha Tibrewal draws powerful inspiration from the resilience of desert flora, using fashion design to explore how adversity can fuel creativity. Her work mirrors the survival strategies of plants that thrive in arid landscapes—adapting to scarcity, storing strength, and blooming with rare beauty when conditions allow. Through a restrained palette, natural dyes, and layered textures that evoke cracked earth and sudden blossoms, Sneha transforms limitation into innovation. Her design journey celebrates resilience not just as endurance, but as a source of bold, unexpected expression—where even the harshest conditions give rise to colour, life, and hope.
Singapore Winner – Zhu Yingwen Ada from Raffles College
“Developed in Light” by Zhu Yingwen is a sustainable fashion project that transforms emotional and environmental adversity into creative expression. Using the eco-friendly cyanotype printing process—powered by sunlight and minimal water—the project upcycles garments while exploring themes of loneliness, memory, and connection. Centered around a calming cyan-blue palette, it offers a deeply personal and accessible approach to design, encouraging emotional durability and sustainable practices through DIY kits, customization, and community engagement. At its core, Developed in Light shows how fashion can be both environmentally conscious and emotionally resonant.
Next week in Singapore, these talented finalists will present their innovative designs on a global stage — each a unique response to this year’s theme of ‘Creativity in Adversity.’