New Designers 2026 showcases Parisian-inspired cafe furniture and accessible designs
From July 1 to 4, New Designers 2026, the UK's premier graduate design exhibition, showcased the work of more than 2,500 graduates. Noteworthy among the exhibits was Elora Foley's Terrace Cafe Chair, a stackable seat crafted from steel and ash that modernizes classic Parisian design for contemporary hospitality. The Joseph Stannah Award was awarded to Bhavnesh Rohit Modgill for his Your First Last Toaster, an accessible appliance featuring large buttons for multiple generations. Rupert Murphy earned the title of BDC New Designer of the Year for his Re-Warm device, designed for managing hypothermia. Additional accolades went to James Murphy (Casul children's seating), Poppy Morgan (Heinz ketchup-inspired lace), Grace Holden (floriography textiles), Lauren Stokes (tiger-themed patterns), Aurora Stevens (jewellery from tomato plant waste), Tyler Lambert (Modo armchair for Porada), and Abi Jade (Goblin Catchers illustration). The event took place in London, gathering graduates from all over the UK.
Key facts
- New Designers 2026 ran from 1 to 4 July in London.
- Over 2,500 graduates participated in the showcase.
- Elora Foley's Terrace Cafe Chair reimagines Parisian cafe furniture.
- Bhavnesh Rohit Modgill's Your First Last Toaster won the Joseph Stannah Award.
- Rupert Murphy won BDC New Designer of the Year for Re-Warm.
- James Murphy won the Habitat Future Design Award for Casul children's seating.
- Poppy Morgan won the Oliver Bonas Award for her Heinz ketchup-inspired lace collection.
- Grace Holden won the Laura Ashley Lifestyle Award for floriography-based textiles.
- Lauren Stokes won the Romo Award for her tiger-themed surface pattern collection.
- Aurora Stevens won the Hockley Mint Jewellery Designer of the Year Award.
- Tyler Lambert won the Allermuir's Rising Star Award for the Modo armchair.
- Abi Jade won the Hallmark Care Connect Award for Goblin Catchers illustration.
- The event is organized by New Designers and partnered with Dezeen.
Entities
Artists
- Elora Foley
- Bhavnesh Rohit Modgill
- Rupert Murphy
- James Murphy
- Poppy Morgan
- Grace Holden
- Lauren Stokes
- Aurora Stevens
- Tyler Lambert
- Abi Jade
Institutions
- New Designers
- Dezeen
- BDC (British Design Council)
- Habitat
- Oliver Bonas
- Laura Ashley
- Romo
- Hockley Mint
- Allermuir
- Hallmark
- Joseph Stannah
- Porada
- Bournemouth University
- Nottingham Trent University
- Edinburgh College of Art
- Heriot Watt University
- Swansea College of Art
- University of Dundee
- Bath Spa University
- Norwich University of Arts
- Northumbria University
- University of Brighton
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Malmesbury
- England
Sources
- Dezeen —