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The UK, Pakistan and Switzerland are the winners of the second New & Next university competition at Heimtextil (7-10 January 2020). Three renowned universities from these countries won this year's design competition in the run-up to the 50th edition of Heimtextil out of a total of 18 international submissions.

Following the successful launch of the competition at the last event, the 50th edition of Heimtextil also offered budding textile designers the chance to submit their work via their university and secure an exclusive presentation area at the fair. Out of a total of 18 submissions from around the globe, three universities prevailed: The University of Bolton from the UK, the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture from Pakistan and the Lucerne School of Design & Art from Switzerland. Representatives from the universities and their students will present the award-winning works at the renowned “New & Next” area in hall 3.0.

The three universities were selected by a five-member jury of experts: “The works produced by the students from these universities impressed us with their creative approaches and reinterpretation of traditional craftsmanship,” says Hervé Francois, General Manager of Mitwill Textile Europe in France and member of the expert jury. “But we also found the use of natural materials to be extremely innovative and in keeping with the zeitgeist.” As well as Hervé Francois, the jury also included Xavier Comman from Hermès International in France, Aziza Grill Mariotte and Lutz Walter from the European federation EURATEX, Belgium, and Prof. Tina Moor from the Lucerne School of Design & Art in Switzerland.

New & Next area: start-ups showcase young design

The New & Next area has been synonymous with the promotion of newcomers at Heimtextil for many years now. Under this title, Heimtextil presents young labels that are being represented at Heimtextil for the first time. Over a dozen newcomers with fresh design ideas are expected to attend in January 2020. In the ‘Textile Design’ product segment in hall 3.0 in particular, young studios inspire with exciting designs. New & Next participants will also be offering creative design products for furniture and decorative fabrics as well as bed and bath in halls 4.2 and 12.0.

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