Thursday, 5 April 2012

Home textile design competition announced for UK design students and recent graduates

Purvaai, which means ‘Winds from the East’ in the ancient language Sanskrit, is a new venture based in the UK whose goal is to explore and reflect the diversity of ancient art and craft and its varied influences on modern home décor.

Its unique products largely use locally sourced natural fabrics, handcrafted textiles and traditional embroidery techniques. The exquisite art-like designs resonate with its philosophy of contemporary tradition.

Having recently exhibited in a prestigious trade show in London and received accolades for their ideology, Purvaai has launched a textile design competition for the current students and recent graduates of UK design schools themed 'Reminiscing the Raj'.

Priya Raghavan, Co-founder and Director of Purvaai says “With this competition we hope to offer young, talented designers a platform to reinterpret this nostalgia in their very own special way.” Applicants may choose to design prints or embroidery and suggest base fabrics, colour-ways and finishing techniques.

Applicants must register by completing the competition form, which may be downloaded from the website www.purvaai.co.uk. They must also submit a concept note of about 150 words. Competitors can send in detailed inspirational pictures and notes along with fabric choices with each design, if they so desire, however this is not mandatory.

This competition is being judged by a panel representing academia, buyers from the industry, design bloggers and manufacturers - thus making it comprehensive. Along with cash prizes and due credit, the winning designs also have the potential to be featured in Purvaai's future collections.

Learn more about Purvaai’s Textile Design Competition 2012 here.
Announcing- Judges’ panel for the textile design competition

The judges’ panel now includes-

Diane Claridge- an independent interiors designer, whose clients are among the who’s who of London;

Ellie Tennant

Ellie Tennant- Celebrated freelance interiors journalist, blogger and stylist, who specialises in trends, interviews, shopping, columns, news, lifestyle features, design and social media;

Toolika Gupta

Toolika Gupta- Academic and fashion and textiles researcher, whose particular areas of interest include the history of textiles and fashion, especially Indian textiles, surface design techniques, sustainable and ethical fashion and fashion studies;