New Designer of the Year crowned

Textiles graduate Abigail Borg has been named the Business Design Centre New Designer of the Year.

Borg was presented with the award at London’s BDC New Designers exhibition last week, after competing against nearly 2000 graduates from across the UK.

Armed with a first class honours degree in Printed Textiles and Surface Pattern Design from Leeds College of Art and Design, Borg impressed the judges with her ‘exquisite drawing skills and sensitivity to colour’, describing her collection as ‘an accomplished and consistent body of work which is both professional and has strong commercial potential.’

‘It gives me a fantastic opportunity to launch my designs into the commercial world, equipping me with both financial and business advice and support, which is so crucial at the start of my career. All my hard work has been recognised by the industry; I am very excited,’ Borg says.

Part one of the exhibition was opened by textiles designer Cath Kidston, while the judges included Janet Martin, head of Monsoon Home, Suzanne Imre, editor of Living Etc, and Rosie Greenless of the Crafts Council.

A total of 13 New Designers were presented, supported by leading brands and design organisations including Hallmark, Habitat, Graham & Brown and Pentland Group.

The winning designer receives £2000 prize money, legal advice from lawyer Briffa with a year’s membership of their Design Protect insurance service, financial advice from Rhodes & Rhodes and PR consultancy guidance from Articulate Communication.

For more information, visit www.newdesigners.com.