Swansea graduate shortlisted for prestigious TEX+ Award
University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) Swansea College of Art graduate Sophie Drew has been selected for TEX+ 26, a prestigious industry led career accelerator programme and selected as one of just 25 finalists to exhibit her work at Chelsea College of Arts in London next week.
Sophie, 43, from Swansea, graduated with a BA (Hons) Surface Pattern and Textile Design degree this week. Her graduate collection, Glowgrove: The Understory, has already attracted significant industry recognition, following its successful debut at New Designers in London, where she received a Laura Ashley Loves award and an invitation to exhibit with Green Grads later this year.
TEX+ celebrates outstanding emerging textile talent, with finalists presenting their work to leading industry professionals. Sophie previously showcased her collection at Liberty London as part of the judging process before being selected for the final exhibition at Chelsea College of Arts.
Sophie said: “Being shortlisted for TEX+ and selected as a finalist is an incredible honour. Presenting my work to such an experienced panel and receiving their feedback has been a truly invaluable experience. To now exhibit alongside so many talented designers at Chelsea College of Arts is something I’m immensely proud of.”
Sophie’s journey to becoming an award-winning graduate was far from conventional. A mother of five and former teaching assistant, she returned to full-time education after recovering from serious illness during the Covid pandemic, determined to pursue her lifelong passion for art and design.
“After Covid, I realised life was too short not to follow the career I truly wanted,” she said. “Studying at Swansea College of Art has completely changed my life. It has given me the confidence, skills, and opportunities to establish myself as a professional surface pattern designer.”
While the national recognition has been a career highlight, Sophie says one of the most rewarding aspects of her degree has been becoming part of the close-knit Surface Pattern and Textile Design community.
“As a mature student, I was initially nervous because some of my classmates were the same age as my eldest children. Those worries quickly disappeared. I couldn’t have asked for a more welcoming, supportive, and inspiring group of people. I’ve made friends for life, and the tutors have been an enormous source of encouragement, guidance, and friendship throughout my journey. I genuinely don’t believe I could have achieved everything I have without them.”
Throughout her degree, Sophie also received recognition in the I-Dott Surface Pattern Design Competition, earned a mentorship with Laura Ashley after being selected as one of the brand’s top five in the SPT X Laura Ashley 100 Years of an Icon Project, was named Runner-Up Best in Show for a Monki collaboration, and exhibited work at Material Matters during London Design Week.
Now launching her freelance business, Sophie Drew Designs, she hopes to create imaginative surface pattern collections for interiors, fashion and homeware while continuing to collaborate with brands through licensing opportunities.
Georgia McKie said: “TEX+ stems from an iconic legacy of creative industry leaders who are committed to nurturing future generations of designers and visionaries. It is a unique opportunity representing the very best of graduating national textiles talent. We are so proud that Sophie Drew and Lauren Stokes, two of our 3rd year students were shortlisted for this accolade, and that ultimately Sophie was selected as part of the final cohort of 25 designers for TEX+ 26.
“To be part of this unique cohort and to further enhance her creative industry network and designer credentials will be of great benefit to Sophie at this stage. It was a very proud moment to see her represent UWTSD at the TEX+26 Showcase.
“Sophie’s story is so inspiring, she has achieved so much over the course of her 3 years with us and knowing that she has managed this alongside her uncompromising love and dedication to her family makes this all the more remarkable. It is so rewarding to see the success she has achieved; she is a powerhouse of creative energy and joy.”
Further Information
Rebecca Davies
Executive Press and Media Relations Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: rebecca.davies@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07384 467071