Aspiring designers have until June 30 to enter Only Natural 2025, an international student design competition promoting the exclusive use of sustainable, natural materials.

For this edition, Only Natural offers young designers a platform to showcase their creativity at Material Matters London, part of the London Design Festival. Winning projects will be exhibited alongside established names in sustainable design, offering entrants significant industry exposure. Report by ILM.

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on September 26, during the preview evening of Material Matters London at its new venue, Space House.

The judging panel includes prominent figures from across fashion and interiors. Fashion judges include Adrien Roberts, Molly Wade, Ana Del Rio, Jens Laugesen and Alex Brownless. Home category judges feature Joanna Knight OBE, Charlotte Kingsnorth, Mathew Freeman, Sam Bird Smith and Grant Gibson.

Supported by key trade organisations such as the Leather & Hide Council of America, American Wool Council, American Hardwood Export Council, National Industrial Hemp Council, Mohair Council of America, and American Softwoods, the competition encourages submissions that make exclusive use of natural materials.

Entries must feature at least two materials such as leather, wool, cotton, hemp or wood, with synthetic or plastic-based components strictly prohibited.

Grant Gibson, founder of Material Matters and Chair of the 2025 judging panel, said: “Only Natural is a powerful initiative – one that celebrates materials that are not only beautiful and resilient, but essential to a more responsible future.

“Encouraging the next generation of designers to embrace natural fibres is more than timely – it’s critical. I’m delighted to host the awards this year at Space House and look forward to seeing the innovation and purpose these students bring.”

Students may enter in one of two categories: Fashion (Apparel, Footwear, Accessories) or Home (Furniture, Interiors). Entries can be submitted via onlynatural.internationaldesigncomp.com by June 30, 2025.