The Colourist Online – Winners of the London and Southern Region Design Competition Heats announced
Winners of the London and Southern Region Design Competition Heats announced
We’re delighted to announce the winners of the London and Southern heat of the International Design Competition.
This year’s competition ‘Climate Threads’ challenged participants to explore forward-thinking concepts that balance innovation, sustainability, and commercial viability within textile design. The London and Southern heat showcased an exceptional standard of work, with students presenting thoughtful and creative responses to the brief which centred around climate change and sustainability.
The heat winner has now secured their place in the global grand final, where they will compete for the top prize, a trophy presented at our Day of Celebration, and international recognition for their work.
Congratulations to the London and Southern heat winner
Huge congratulations to Niamh Hill, whose project A Biophilic Cycle – Navigating the Urban Cluster impressed judges with its visionary and holistic approach to future-focused design.
Responding to a brief centred on the future of luxury travel, Niamh explored how sustainability and biophilic design can shape textiles for next-generation transport. Set in a speculative Bristol in 2050, her concept reimagines urban mobility through e-bikes and trikes, where environmental responsibility and premium design coexist.
Her work combined natural, renewable materials such as wool and linen with innovative textile thinking, including the potential of bioluminescence in fabric development. Drawing inspiration from lichen, moss, and the natural topography of Bristol, Niamh created a vibrant and contemporary colour palette that challenged traditional perceptions of sustainable design.
By merging ecological awareness with refined craftsmanship, her project presented a compelling vision of how textiles can contribute to more sustainable, yet aspirational, urban lifestyles.
Runner-up and highly commended
Congratulations also go to runner-up Bethan Cooper (University of the Arts London / London College of Fashion, Knit) for her project Dyed by the Tide. Rooted in Cornish heritage, Bethan’s work explored the intersection of traditional knitwear techniques and natural dye processes, using botanical pigments and coastal materials to create textiles that reflect both landscape and identity.
Highly commended was Lillian Stephenson (University of the Arts London / London College of Fashion, Embroidery) for her project Threads of Home. Through a deeply personal exploration of cultural identity and domestic spaces, Lilian reinterpreted familiar patterns and materials into contemporary textile designs, combining handcrafted and digital techniques.
What’s next?
Niamh will now progress to the global grand final, where she will compete alongside other regional winners from around the world. The overall winner will be announced at our Day of Celebration, marking an exciting milestone in the competition.
The SDC International Design Competition is renowned for bringing together students, researchers, industry professionals, and designers from around the world to give students a platform to showcase their creativity, technical knowledge and vision on an international scale. We look forward to seeing how these talented individuals continue to push boundaries and shape a more sustainable future for the industry.