Textile Design graduands gain industry praise at leading creative talent showcase New Designers
07 July 2026
Last week graduands from across Falmouth’s BA(Hons) Textile Design, BA(Hons) Illustration and BA(Hons) Illustration (Online) courses attended one of the UK’s leading graduate design events, New Designers.
The annual London showcase celebrates the creativity and innovative ideas of the latest crop of final-year students across four days, giving graduands the chance to share their inspiring final-year collections with both industry professionals and the public. This year, Falmouth’s BA(Hons) Textile Design cohort made a lasting impression, with three awards won across the four days and several students shortlisted.
Speaking of their success, Course Leader Sally-Ann Gill shared: “Our students did us proud; I lost count of the number of times I was told how great they are! The show itself was busier than it has been for years, and we had a continual flow of visitors to our stand. I’m especially proud of how the students supported each other and kept their energy levels up for the entire week.
“Our students were well prepared to speak to judges, trade and the public with enthusiasm and professionalism.”
The award winners
Twig Searle – The Sanderson Award
Twig’s project, ‘A Library in Thread’, explores the interpretation of folktales through handwoven textiles, using cloth as a way of holding and passing down stories to future generations. Inspired by the idea of storytelling as a form of cultural inheritance, Twig’s work translates that sentiment into something tactile.
The judging panel, which included designers from both Sanderson and Morris & Co, commended Twig’s “exceptional master of their craft, thoughtful storytelling and genuine commitment to natural dyeing and sustainability.” Impressed with Twig’s work, they continued: “Every element reflects Twig’s own core values while embracing innovation and a forward-thinking approach to textiles design. Beautifully considered aesthetic and quality are what we value deeply at Sanderson.”
Twig is now set to take on a two-week placement working within the Sanderson studio and has additionally been awarded £1,000.
Reflecting on the win, Twig said: “An absolutely massive thank you to all of the folks on my course, the lecturers and the technicians. I wouldn’t have been able to get this far without the immense support these last few years from Falmouth’s textiles course.”
Eve Everard – The Weavers’ Company Woven Textile Design Award
Eve’s project investigates how textiles can move beyond flat, decorative surfaces to become materials that engage with architecture through construction and layering techniques. Aiming to sit between design and art, Eve’s project includes textiles that function as interior installations whilst also operating as expressive, sculptural objects.
Speaking of being awarded for her work, Eve shared: “A huge thank you to the Weavers’ Company for their continued support throughout this year. Having received a commendation back in December 2025, and funding supporting me to create my graduate collection and present it at New Designers, I am extremely honoured.”
Eden Kingston – The Wilcom Digital Embroidery Prize
Eden’s winning project showcased a variety of impressive work – a digital embroidery and beadwork fashion piece inspired by tarot, ‘Queen of Swords’; a party banner made with embroidery, print and appliqué, ‘Dancing at Duvet’; and digitally embroidered and beaded repeat trims, ‘Repeat of Wands’.
The pieces inspired the judges through being “a modern take on the Bayeux Tapestry, with digital embroidery using Wilcom software,” inspiring them to award Eden with a copy of ES Designing software for Falmouth University, with 12 months' individual access for herself.
Speaking of the win, Eden shared: “I am super excited and grateful to have won the Wilcom Digital Embroidery Prize! I’ve spent most of the last year and a half using their software, so it’s amazing to be awarded this from them and get such lovely feedback. I can’t wait to start digitising more designs!”
Alongside winning the Wilcom Digital Embroidery Prize, Eden’s time at New Designers saw her selected for the Embroiderers’ Guild Graduate Showcase, where she now prepares to exhibit with them at this year’s Knit & Stitch Show in London and Harrogate.
Other achievements at New Designers
Alongside the winners, there were plenty of other BA(Hons) Textile Design students who were shortlisted for awards. Chantelle Avery-McNeil’s comprehensive collections full of eye-catching stitching shortlisted her for the Wilcom Digital Embroidery Prize. Ruby Bolt saw her work shortlisted for the Ultrafabrics Sustainable Design Award. Meanwhile, Rome Martin-Bullman was shortlisted for the Clothworkers Company Printed Textile Design Associate Award, Twig Searle made the shortlist for the Society of Dyers & Colourists Colour Award and Izzy Honeywood for the Woven Textile Design Award.
It wasn’t just awards and recognition the students came away with, but job opportunities within the industry. Jessyka McGraw secured a six-month paid internship with the Anstey Wallpaper Company after her work was spotted at the event, and she has also been selected by Green Grads, along with fellow student Ruby Bolt, to exhibit with them later this year.
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