Earlier this summer I had a memorable day in London as one of the five judges of Texprint 2014.

It was our task to choose a shortlist for 5 category prizes from 24 newly graduated designers already selected from over 200 weavers, knitters, printers and embroiderers – brought together for three days in London to show their work to the textile design industry.

The London preview presentation (July 9–10) is an important part of the process that climaxes in Paris in September at Premiere Vision, where the category winners are announced and all 24 designers show – and sell – their work to industry visitors at Indigo, the creative textile and surface design show-within-a show at Premiere Vision.

On the afternoon of July 8th, we arrived at Chelsea for four hours of intensive viewing and discussion. The other judges were Sarah Campbell of legendary textile design partnership Collier Campbell; Sue Roberts, Design Director Home at leading UK department store group House of Fraser; Henry Graham, Chief Creative Officer of innovative London retailer Wolf & Badger; and Jill Chatwood, Design Director at fast-growing Vancouver-based Lululemon Athletica.

Judge Sarah Campbell examines the work of Aline Nakagawa de Oliveira

Judge Henry Graham reveiws the work of designer Federica Tedeschi

The designers were called into the room for thorough questioning and scrutiny. Names were tossed back and forth across the table. We went back to the stands to review, and review again, the work. Slowly but steadily, a shortlist emerged. Names were read out and read out again. A tweak here, a plea there, a reshuffle – and another reshuffle. The debate always driven by an urgent, passionate desire from all involved that the right names should make the shortlist.

But the real pleasure of Texprint London is that everyone is a winner – because everyone is on the Eurostar to Paris in September.

Myself and Sue Roberts reviewing portfolio work

Karen Peacock, Head of Design at Marks & Spencer said “I consider Texprint to offer the cream of the crop in textiles and print. Not only is the standard very high but the students are also very good about talking about their work.”

Texprint sponsors, such as John Snowdon, Clerk of the Worshipful Company of Weavers, agreed: “Our aim is to find the best. We always find them at Texprint.” Roll on Paris!

CLICK HERE for Press Release: Texprint special prizes: the shortlist of nominees announced

Short listed designers with the judges: from left; Tali Furman, Charlotte Beevor, Jane Han Zhang, Georgia Fisher, Kaila Cox, judge Jill Chatwood, judge Eifion Griffiths, judge Sue Roberts, Jonny Wadland, judge Sarah Campbell, judge Henry Graham, Federica Tedeschi, Jessica Hymas, Beth Humes