Amber Sorayapour

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Graduate wins big at prestigious New Designers exhibition

Amber Sorayapour, BA Textile Design for Fashion and Interiors graduate, has won the much coveted Harlequin Award at New Designers, a major exhibition held in London.

The annual event showcases the work of more than 3,000 hand-picked graduating designers from universities across the UK and beyond, connecting them with design educators, professionals, industry and consumers.

Amber was chosen as the overall winner of the Harlequin Award thanks to her work dubbed ‘Nudibranch’, an interior fabric collection inspired by her unique pairing of sea slugs and the English coastline. She was awarded £1,000 and a three-week internship with Harlequin, a brand renowned for its fusions of colours, innovative textures and catwalk-inspired design.

Judges said Amber captured the ethos of Harlequin by “creating glamorous statements for the home.” They added: “Her collection celebrates the joy of pattern and colour, embracing the trend for a maximalist interior.”

Amber’s creations were also praised by Sainsbury’s whose representatives congratulated her on her “wonderful body of work”, stating that her sketchbook was “inspiring, full of colour and amazing illustrations.”

Amanda Goode, Textile Design for Fashion and Interiors Course Leader said: “I am delighted for Amber. We had so much success at the show which was fantastic to see.

“The Bath Spa University stand was really well received, complimented by fellow academics from other universities, and recognised as a force by industry.

“We are delighted our graduates have this opportunity each year to showcase their work and fly the flag for the British textile industry and Bath School of Design.”