Only Natural Student Design Competition 2026 announces overall winners
loading...
Jewellery combining naturally dyed fish scales and golden grass alongside a modular lighting system made from bamboo have taken top honours at the Only Natural Student Design Competition 2026.
UK-based Central Saint Martins student Ana Luisa Braun Rodrigues was named overall fashion winner for her Shimmer Jewellery collection, while India-based National Institute of Design student Tanmay Bhavsar took the overall home title with Valay - Bamboo Lighting. Rodrigues and Bhavsar were selected from seven category and people’s choice winners. The awards were presented on September 15, 2026 during a ceremony at Material Matters London, attended by more than 200 industry figures, designers and educators.
Driving natural material adoption
Only Natural brings together six US natural material trade groups representing more than six billion dollars annually in exports. The alliance aims to encourage emerging designers to prioritize natural components in future product development.
The 2026 competition attracted more than 380 entries, with shortlisted candidates representing 27 universities across 15 countries. Utilised materials included cowhide, vegetable-tanned leather, wool, bamboo, wood, cotton, golden grass and fish scales. By connecting young designers with established supply chains, the initiative seeks to promote sustainable choices during early design stages.
Full line-up of winners
Rodrigues' winning fashion entry used Capim Dourado, naturally dyed Camurupim fish scales, sterling silver and crystal to explore Brazilian identity. Bhavsar’s home lighting solution utilized the natural variations of bamboo into modular design elements.
The full line-up of category winners includes:
- Fashion apparel: Israel-based Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art student Eden Cohen for La Fenaison
- Fashion accessories: Rodrigues for Shimmer Jewellery
- Fashion footwear: Jerusalem-based Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design student Islam Nashef for Macho
- Home furniture: UK-based University of the Arts London student Sofia Hollier for Field to Form
- Home interiors: Bhavsar for Valay - Bamboo Lighting
- People’s choice fashion: Israel-based Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art student Ofir Vissel for A Thought That Remains Awake
- People’s choice home: India-based National Institute of Design student Kavish Lineswala for Alankara
Industry commentary
The awards were hosted by Material Matters co-founder Grant Gibson and Leather & Hide Council of America (LHCA) representative Amanda Symm.
“The imagination, dedication and craftsmanship we saw in this year’s entries show that natural materials aren’t simply viable - they can inspire extraordinary design,” said Gibson.
Symm added: “Only Natural brings together six US natural material industries because we share a belief that the designers beginning their careers today will help shape the materials used tomorrow. These industries already have the expertise, networks and supply chains to deliver natural materials at scale.”
All seven winning projects were displayed at Unlocked Shoreditch during the London Design Festival. Only Natural is supported by the American Hardwood Export Council, American Softwoods, American Wool Council, Mohair Council of America, National Industrial Hemp Council and LHCA. The competition will return for its next edition in 2027.