Falmouth University Textile Graduate Reaches Finals of H&M Foundation’s Global Change Award with Sustainable Dye Innovation

PRESS ROOM

11 Apr

FALMOUTH, UK – April 2026– Falmouth University BA (Hons) Textile Design graduate and technician Meredith Wood has been named a Top 20 finalist in the prestigious H&M Foundation’s Global Change Award.

Through her pioneering company, Colour Earth, Wood and her co-founders are addressing urgent environmental issues by developing scalable, lower-impact plant-based pigments to replace highly polluting petrochemical synthetic dyes.

Colour Earth, co-founded with creatives Aurélie Fontan and Chris Ferguson, operates at the critical intersection of design, plant science, and material engineering.

Their flagship innovation, Regen Ink, combines plant-derived materials with advanced extraction technologies.

This vital work directly challenges the environmental damage caused by synthetic pigments widely used across textiles and manufacturing, offering a forward-thinking solution to decarbonise the fashion industry.

The team is now competing to be one of ten finalists selected for a year-long changemaker programme and a significant cash prize.

As part of their mission to inspire industry-wide ethical transformation, Colour Earth also plans to release research journals and a short documentary to share their findings.

Wood credits her time at Falmouth University for shaping her authoritative and innovative approach to sustainable design.

Drawn by the inspiring coastal setting and state-of-the-art facilities within the Fashion and Textiles Institute, she was able to refine her practice as a print designer.

"The beach was a big factor in deciding to move down to Falmouth, as well as the beautiful campuses!" said Wood. "The facilities within the Fashion and Textiles Institute are incredibly inspiring and well-equipped, which gave me the space and resources to experiment, develop my ideas and refine my practice. Being surrounded by such a creative community, alongside the coast, has really influenced my work."

Addressing the pressing need for sustainable practices, Wood highlighted the necessity of driving meaningful change within the sector.

"The fashion and textile industry has to change and move towards a more ethical and sustainable future. It can be difficult to tackle the issues our industry currently faces, but also an exciting opportunity to create something better," Wood explained. "Being part of that shift, and contributing to a more thoughtful and responsible way of designing, is what makes pursuing a career in sustainable textiles meaningful to me."

About Falmouth University

Falmouth University is a leading creative institution based in Cornwall, UK.

It is dedicated to equipping students with the skills, technical expertise, and innovative mindset required to tackle global challenges and drive sustainable change across the creative industries.

For over 120 years, Falmouth University has been shaping the future of the creative industries, and beyond.

Creative thinking is the driving force behind innovation, offering solutions to global challenges and inspiring people to think, act, and feel differently.