The inaugural New Talent area at Surface Design Show in London was curated by Trendease International and featured exhibitors in the industry five years or less, some showcased decorative panels, bio-materials, plastic waste tiles, marbled slate, flexible plaster, and laser cut biophilic surfaces, to name a few.

The 2019 participants, who were scouted from around the world, traveling from the United Kingdom, Germany, Greece, and Japan, all had diverse products and materials to showcase:

• A creative take on particle board from Orla Lawn
• Marbled wood and slate from Tomasz Maker
• Flexible plaster wallcoverings with embellishments, Vacarda Design
• Intricately cut panels, hanging screens, and room dividers by Blue Bamboo Design
• Innovative materials and textiles from Muuna with homegrown crystals and trim
• Decorative surfaces using Jesmonite and plaster, Yasmin Kiris
• Wallpaper, panels and lighting using powder coated steel, as well as laser cut acrylic from Laura Evans
• A wide variety of digitally printed wallpapers from Woodchip & Magnolia
• Digitally printed wallcoverings for the contract market by 17 Patterns with support from HP ColorPRO technology
• Highly detailed digitally printed products for the home from Carmine Lake
• Digitally printed wallcoverings, textiles, and tiles with a tropical twist from Charlotte Jade
• Digitally printed velvets from Sleek Editions, a newly launched print service provider
• Contemporary wall hangings from Aya Kawabata Design
• Super-sized digitally printed paisley wallpapers and handmade textural wallcoverings by Chloe Nalwoga
• Marble-like tiles made with plastic post-consumer waste from Enis Akiev
• PHEE’s bio-composite materials which make up panels to be used from everything from an architectural wallcovering and furnishings to eye glass frames

Since Surface Design Show in February, some companies have shared exciting news, such as Carmine Lake, which had a piece selected to hang in the acclaimed Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition, the 250^th edition, “the world’s largest open submission art show that brings together art in all mediums – prints and paintings, film, photography, sculpture, architectural works and more – by leading artists, Royal Academicians and household names as well as new and emerging talent.”  Growing its business is Woodchip & Magnolia, which has expanded its offering beyond wallpaper after purchasing a new dye sublimation printer for textiles.

During the renowned Surface Design Awards the New Talent Designer of the Year was awarded to Chloe Nalwoga for her impressive wallpapers and wallcoverings.  The runners up for the Award, both focused on responsible design, included the marble-like tiles made with plastic post-consumer waste from Enis Akiev, and PHEE’s bio-composite materials (made from dead leaves of a Greek sea plant considered waste and a burden by the local government), which make up panels to be used from everything from an architectural wallcovering and furnishings to eye glass frames.

Here’s what a few of the inaugural participants had to say about their experience:

“For me, Surface Design Show’s New Talent feature was a launch pad and a gateway to the industry to meet other designers, manufacturers and makers.  I am still in touch with some fellow designers who encourage me and support with their expertise and field knowledge.  Participation also gave me the clarity about how to shape up my design practice and the product.  Since then, I also took part in the ICFF show in NYC and have been actively engaging and working with interior design and architecture agencies in the UK and across the ocean.  All in all, I am very glad I took part in SDS, it has given me a big push in the right direction.” - Tanya Vacarda, Vacarda Design

 “I had a lot of press prior and was featured on the show's social channels and online publications such as Dezeen Daily.  SDS is a really busy show and I had a lot of traffic on my stand allowing me to make loads of new contacts and tap into a slightly different market, all of the visitors seemed really impressed and excited about the New Talent exhibitors.  I've already had some work come as a direct result from the show." - Hannah Croft, Muuna

“The show was an incredible platform for me.  I was amazed by how people reacted towards my work and the interest they had in my designs especially the hand-made wallcoverings.  And to top it all off, I was awarded the New Talent of the Year 2019 award.  I was really happy and honored to receive the award, especially at a trade show that I do admire.” - Chloe Nalwoga

“Surface Design Show was such a fantastic experience. The New Talent section introduced me not only to influential people within the interiors industry but a brilliant bunch of extremely talented and inspiring designers who it was great to spend the 3 days at the show with! Since the show, I have been working on some international commercial interior design projects, I came second in the Klarna Smooothest Store competition in April and I am just about to open my own studio this summer.” – Charlotte O’Reilly, Charlotte-Jade

The Trendease Team has already begun its hunt for talent to be unveiled in 2020. 

A sneak preview of what’s to come includes art fabrics and wallcoverings from The Monkey Puzzle Tree and architectural room dividers from Kristina Ringler. 

If you want to nominate some talent or apply yourself; email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.