Only Natural Awards Champions Sustainable Design

11-02-2025
Only Natural is a global initiative aimed at promoting the use of natural, sustainable materials in design. The initiative encourages students and the public to think sustainably and celebrate the beauty and versatility of nature. The Only Natural 2024 competition challenged international students and recent graduates to create bespoke pieces using natural materials such as wool, wood, cotton, hemp along with new innovate fibres.
To celebrate the Award winners the U.S. Embassy in London was transformed into a stunning natural setting with a backdrop of lush greenery as creative talent and industry experts gathered to celebrate. The debut competition attracted more than 400 entrants from 68 countries.

In the Fashion section, Molly Wade (pictured above) won the Apparel category and the title of Overall Fashion Winner with her project titled Shenn Vyrneen Aym’ (An old love of mine). Molly, an MFA Fashion Design graduate from the London College of Fashion, UK, now works for Vivienne Westwood creating bespoke commissions. Her design incorporated wool, shearling sheepskin and regenerative leather.
In the Home section, Sam Bird Smith was awarded the Interiors category and Overall Home Winner title for his project Phyto. Sam studies at Nottingham Trent University, UK, and his work, a hanging pendant light made from 3D printed algae-based bioplastic.
Other category winners included Zachary Berry (Footwear), Anjala Shamla Shajan (Accessories), and Mingyu Xu (Furniture), along with People’s Choice Award winners Ashraful Alam (Fashion) and Arunima Sachan (Home).

The competition was judged by a panel of industry experts comprising of Alex Brownless (CEO, Arts Thread), Grant Gibson, Edwin Ryder, Ana Del Rio, Jens Laugesen (London-based award-winning Danish fashion designer) and Nikita Jayasuriya (recognised leader in sustainability initiatives for top fashion brands).
Alex Brownless, CEO of Arts Thread, said: “The Only Natural competition has set a new standard for sustainable design. The ingenuity and craftsmanship displayed by all the entrants show the extraordinary potential of natural materials to drive a more sustainable future in fashion and home design. I am thrilled to see so many young designers embracing the challenge and delivering truly beautiful and thoughtful designs.”
An industry first, the event enjoyed the backing of the U.S. government who offered the embassy as a venue. Key players in the global market for natural materials, including trade bodies representing wool, mohair, hemp, leather, hardwoods and softwoods.