Ethical homeware retailer seeks student designs

Ethical homeware retailer Biome Lifestyle is launching a student design competition to find products to sell in its online shop.

The London-based manufacturer and online retailer is looking for Christmas-themed homeware products including crackers, tree decorations or everyday items with a festive twist.

The competition winner will receive a commission based on the sales of their product, calculated on a monthly basis. The exact figure is yet to be confirmed, but Biome says that it will be ‘fair’.

Biome will organise and pay for the manufacture of the winning entry, which will be assessed on its eco-credentials and made either in the UK or by co-operatives in Nepal, Vietnam or India. Products made outside the UK will be manufactured using sustainable materials including felt, bamboo and organic cotton.

A spokeswoman for the retailer says, ‘There will be only one winner, and if they get on well with Biome then the relationship could be ongoing. Equally, if there is more than one stand-out entry, then Biome will consider working with those designers in the future.’

The competition is open to students over the age of 16, and the closing date for entries is 1 May. A winner will be chosen on 11 May, and the product will go sale in the run-up to Christmas.

Contact Biome director Alexandra Bishop at alexandra@biomelifestyle.com for more information.