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The 2024/2025 edition of our Young Designer Competition has commenced, entries are officially closed. This year was BIGGER than ever! 🥳

To call the previous editions of this competition a phenomenon would be an understatement. As Something Good Homeware partnered with Romaria Knitwear, we've become two small businesses weaving forward together to make a BIG impact.

Together, we called all emerging creatives to show us their clever ways. Our aim is to encourage youth entrepreneurship and creativity, potentially opening doors to future success and well-deserved recognition.

Thank you to all creatives who participated!

The Moment We’ve All Been Waiting For… 

Announcing The Top 20 of Our Young Designer Competition

After an incredible journey of creativity, passion, and pure textile magic, we are thrilled to reveal the Top 20 Designs from our Young Designer Competition

The process has been nothing short of inspiring! From the moment we opened the doors to submissions, we were blown away by the talent, energy, and bold ideas of South Africa's young artists. Every single design showcased a unique story, a new perspective, and a deep love for textile design. It’s been a journey of discovery—one that reminded us of just how much raw talent and creativity is out there. 

Something good is happening, and these 20 designs are leading the way! Keep your eyes peeled for more because the journey doesn’t stop here…

From the first stitch to the final swatch, we’re about to make something truly special.

judging panel

Trust us, the selection process was tough, thankfully, we called for help from our amazing guest judges; Lisa Jaffe, Juliet Kavishe and Candice Berman —

lisa jaffe

Fashion Designer, Owner of Guillotine Boutique Store

Juliet Kavishe

Interior Architect and Design Educator

Candice Berman

Art Gallery Owner, Founder of 223 Jan Smuts Creative Hub

about the competition

​​​​​Who could enter

Aspiring young designers aged 25 years or younger. South African residents only.

What to expect

All patterns went through various phases of selection leading up to the nomination of the Top 20. The winning designers are yet to be announced. They will move forward into product design phase where each finalist will receive design mentorship. Their patterns will be translated into a capsule collection of both homeware and knitwear to become part of our 2024/2025 Young Designer Programme - to be sold worldwide.

DESIGN BRIEF

This time, we wanted to challenge young designers with a theme named: Inside Out. We were looking for a repeat pattern consisting of two colours only. If designs exceeded two colours, it would have been rejected. Designs should be blanket shaped (A4 page size). Designers were welcome to submit as many designs as they liked.

2022/2023 Winners

The 2022/2023 competition was a testament to creativity and ingenuity. The top four selected patterns became part of our ever-popular 'Young Designer Throw' collection. Our winning designers had an incredible run! They were featured in various established publications like Vogue Italia, Visi Magazine and House & Leisure. Their throws sold worldwide at design hubs like New York, Amsterdam, London & Seoul. Their designs won the hearts of many and became part of various wonderful homes.

 As we shift towards a new collection, sadly we have to let go of the current. We are so glad these designs were born so that we could get to know them and all their lovely makers. They've brought a great deal of joy to us as well as their new owners. 🥰

There are limited quantities left of each design - available to shop online and via our retail stockists. 

Before

After

Use the left and right arrow keys to navigate between before and after photos.

"The Young Designer Competition was something I just took a shot at in 2022, thinking 'it’s not something I could actually win' but ended up surprising myself. The impact of winning has been huge – it’s boosted my confidence as a designer and to back myself more. It has led to really special collaborations and work opportunities - it’s come full circle to joining the Something Good & Romaria team as their Creative Assistant. It’s worth it no matter if you win or not because it’s a platform to approach/learn from a new brief as a young designer, and not just any brief, but one that celebrates diversity and exploration."

Jade Taylor

2021 Winners

FAQs