The industry cannot afford to ignore the next generation. These graduates are not just seeking employment; they are offering solutions to the problems that established firms are scrambling to solve.

The GREENGRADS exhibition at the Surface Design Show is a testament to the power of education and the necessity of hope. By attending, you are not just viewing products; you are supporting a movement towards a cleaner, more ethical built environment.

“Each of our Green Grads – and we now have 250 listed on our website – has their unique suggested way of dealing with the environmental challenges the world faces today. “Research by the British Retail Consortium shows that consumers/clients now put sustainability right at the top of their buying criteria.” Barbara Chandler

GREEN GRADS is a platform celebrating new graduates with ideas to heal the planet.

Support the GreenGrads: The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair runs from 16-19 October at Victoria Baths, Manchester. This isn't just an opportunity to see beautiful objects or meet talented designers—it's a chance to support the fundamental transformation of how we make and use things.

*GREEN GRADS is a platform celebrating new graduates with ideas to heal the planet.

“Each of our Green Grads – and we now have 200 listed on our website – has their unique suggested way of dealing with the environmental challenges the world faces today. “Research by the British Retail Consortium shows that consumers/clients now put sustainability right at the top of their buying criteria.” Barbara Chandler

“For this revealing show, six graduates have been carefully chosen for their common commitment to sustainable design and production, spotlighting natural fibres, dyes and biomaterials, with ways to cut waste, water and energy, plus other innovative eco-friendly techniques. Find projects by assured new professionals at the very cutting edge of textiles today. “

“Each of our Green Grads – and we now have 200 listed on our website – has their unique suggested way of dealing with the environmental challenges the world faces today,” says founder/curator Barbara Chandler“

“During the research stages of my project I wanted to showcase seaweed in a way that it would not normally be recognised - I discovered that to be its abundance of unusual pigments. This led to more research and discovery and has helped continue the project further into multiple possible applications. I chose ink initially because during lockdown I began experimenting with what I could make from home and this very naturally progressed into textile dye baths as well as trying other methods such as block printing with thicker ink recipes.”