Awarding Talent: Joanne O’Rourke Wins the Epson Eco Stories Textile Challenge and Trip to FESPA 2025

Joanne O'Rourke won the Epson Eco Stories Textile Challenge, receiving an Epson SureColor SC-F100 printer and a trip to FESPA 2025 in May. The award highlights the importance of supporting emerging designers for a sustainable print industry. These "digital natives" drive innovation, sustainability, and technological advancement, crucial for the sector's future.

Supporting the Next Generation of Designers is Key to a Sustainable Print Industry: The textile industry is undergoing rapid transformation, a transformation that is currently out pacing the transfer of knowledge. Sustainability, innovation, and digital proficiency have become non-negotiable for commercial success for all professionals in this space. A space in which the next generation of designers are uniquely positioned to drive change - making it essential to support and nurture their potential if we are to build a sustainable and thriving future for the print industry.

Bringing Fresh Perspectives to Lead Innovation

New design talent brings fresh energy and ideas to the table. They challenge traditional norms and conventional process, reimagining the future of textile print with a fresh perspective, by generating new processes and applications. From incorporating unconventional materials to experimenting with cutting-edge digital printing techniques, their creative insights push the boundaries of the industry towards a new digital era.

At the "Talking Textile" pop-up event held in the Crucial Trading showroom at the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, GreenGrads co-founder Barbara Chandler announced the winner of the ECO STORIES Textile challenge which champions sustainable innovation. The award was presented by myself, Debbie McKeegan the FESPA Textile Ambassador and Charlie de la Haye of Epson UK.

On winning the award Joanne commented "I am absolutely thrilled to be named the ECO STORIES Textile Challenge Winner and to receive the amazing prize of an Epson SureColor SC-F100 printer - an incredible opportunity to push my sustainable textile designs further. I can’t wait to develop my portfolio with this fantastic printer. I am grateful to be part of this amazing community. A special thanks to Barbara Chandler and Michael Czerwinski founders of GreenGrads and thank you all our sponsors too".

Designers like Joanne O’Rourke, and her cohort exemplify how emerging talent can influence and inspire sustainable practices within the textile print ecosystem. Investing in young designers means fostering an era of innovation that helps the industry evolve, ensuring its future by attracting the talent with the vision to harness technology for the benefit of print and planet.

Joanne will be attending FESPA as a guest of the association and will present her work and explain her practice during her scheduled talk at the SmartHUB theatre at the Fespa Global Expo - 6th-9th May 2025.


*GreenGrads, Eco Stories is in part sponsored by the technology manufacturer Epson and the FESPA association. *A full list of sponsors is available at www.greengrads.co.uk and we remain grateful for their support.

Sustainability is a Core Focus

For the next generation sustainability isn’t just an option; it’s an obligation and a responsibility attributed by the environmental harm generated by previous generations. Young designers inherently recognise the importance of reducing waste, promoting circular manufacturing principles, and sourcing ethically. Their designs often prioritise eco-conscious materials and processes, which aligns with the textile industry’s growing commitment to environmental stewardship.

By giving these designers the tools and platforms to flourish, we empower them to embed sustainability into the very fabric of the industry.

Priming Digital Natives for a Technological Revolution

The textile sector is rapidly integrating advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and digital printing, and next-gen designers are leading the charge. Being digital natives, they are naturally adept at leveraging AI and will continue to harness the benefits of technology to create efficient workflows and data-driven insights to inform production. Initiatives such as GreenGrads nurture collaboration between the generations and connect industries to stimulate digital innovation. And in doing so - highlight how vital emerging talent is in bridging creativity and technology.

Fostering Economic Growth and Industry Evolution

Encouraging young talent isn’t just a win for sustainability or innovation; it also drives economic benefits. Supporting their growth creates jobs, spurs entrepreneurial ventures, and attracts investment into the textile design and print sector. Initiatives that nurture young designers help the industry transition towards a circular economy, addressing one of the most pressing global challenges of our time - building a legacy for the future.

Ultimately, the success of any industry depends on its ability to adapt, evolve, and inspire. By supporting the next generation of designers, we’re addressing immediate needs while laying the foundation for a resilient and environmentally conscious future. We congratulate Joanne on her achievements and look forward to celebrating with her at the FESPA Global Expo in Berlin, 6^TH-9^TH May 2025.