mydeco went to the sneak preview of the New Designers exhibition yesterday and were wowed by the unique and inspiring creative talent on display. Part 1 of the New Designers show is open to the public from 9 – 12 July. It showcases exceptional design talent from 1800 graduates across the UK but, like everything, there could only be one winner.

Paul Roden won the New Designer 2009 Award for these seventies inspired prints

Paul Roden, from the Glasgow School of Art, won the BDC New Designer of the Year Award with his seventies fabric swatches. The shocked winner told mydeco that his swatches are ‘influenced from tacky seventies patterns from when I was a kid’. His stand showcases several colourful, bold patterned fabric swatches with photos of beautifully upholstered chairs and sofas. It certainly stood out against the more neutral tones of the other stands. Throughout the exhibition, the winners of various categories were announced amid excited applause and squeals of congratulations. Francesca Martin won the New Designers Harlequin Award as well as the Tiger Print Award for her floral print fabric. The Graham and Green Award went to Melissa Selmin for her wallpaper prints which were also floral. Hannah Livingstone and Lee Simmons both won The Goldsmiths’ Company New Designers Award. Hannah’s delicately ornate necklace was my favourite from the winner’s circle. The judges said that Hannah, from the University of Dundee, won the award for her tactile and interactive antiquarian gold locket necklace. The ornate locket is shaped like a chest which opens to reveal a personal note and a hidden compartment beneath can contain a small keepsake. Emma Tiplady also won an award, as did Ruth Ashton from the One Year On exhibition.

Lee Simmons with his award-winning enclosed jug

All the products and creations on display are enviously awe inspiring, creative and beautiful. Part two of the show will begin 16 July and mydeco will have full coverage of the event, awards and winners. For a more detailed analysis of the winning designs, read the New Designers 2009 article.