The winners of the annual Creative Enterprise Awards, which recognise the achievements of new creative entrepreneurs, have been announced. Eco-underwear and furniture fabricated from waste materials found on the streets of Peckham were among the projects scooping the top awards.
The Awards celebrate the best examples of enterprising activity from University of the Arts London’s current students and recent graduates.
Selected by a panel including Etsy’s Georgina Blaine and Arts Thread’s Alex Brownless, the winners of each of the six categories were revealed in a ceremony at Rich Mix on 24 November, hosted by the University’s new Student Enterprise & Employability.
Their prizes include £150 and a support offer to help develop their businesses. Nitya Vaishnavi Singh took home the overall winner prize for The Yellow Brick Project, winning an iPad, a place at the School for Creative Start-ups and £100 art supply vouchers. The winners in each category are:
Overall winner and International: Nitya Vaishnavi Singh for performing arts production house The Yellow Brick Project
Established in New Delhi in 2009, The Yellow Brick Project aims to both promote the performing arts in Delhi and empower youth. Their flash mobs, films and annual stage productions are conceptualized and executed entirely by a team of 70 young people aged 18-24, providing them with a space for creative experimentation. Visit www.facebook.com/yellowbrickproject
New Business: Jan Hendzel for furniture design studio Hendzel + Hunt
Using reclaimed and sustainable materials to create original bespoke furniture, Hendzel +Hunt have undertaken commissions for Kevin Spacey, The Shop in Bluebird and the V & A. Their most recent product, a shelving unit from the MADE IN PECKHAM range (as pictured) that is constructed from waste materials found on the streets of SE15, is to be launched in Selfridges’ eagerly anticipated Christmas display. Visit www.hendzelandhunt.com
Enterprising Project: Jonas Altman for social design lab Reboot
Reboot provides training, retreats and mentoring for people that want to unplug from their daily routine. Bringing teams to refreshing spaces, participants share insights and work collaboratively, helping them to develop new ventures and stimulate professional growth. Visit www.re-boot.org
Social or ethical Enterprise: Charini Suriyage for luxury eco lingerie brand Charini
Using ethically sourced handmade lace from Sri Lanka and employing traditional manufacturing methods least harmful to the environment, Charini creates beautiful eco friendly lingerie. Showcasing its collection at London Fashion Week in September 2011, the brand successfully fuses the traditional with the modern, combining Sri Lankan craft with desirable design. Visit www.charini.com
Freelancer: Charlie Lyne
Charlie Lyne has successfully caved a career as blogger, journalist, presenter, events organiser and all round film expert. His movie blog ultraculture.co.uk won Sky’s Blog of the Year in 2011 and he has worked for everyone from the BBC, Time and The Guardian to ID-Magazine, Vice and the ICA.
Visit www.charlielyne.com
Collaboration: Puff & Flock - Melissa French, Kathy Schicker, Amelie Labarthe and Elisabeth Buecher
Textile design collective Puff & Flock, commissioned by DesignersBlock, worked with well-known English furniture company Ercol to produce a range of collaborative furniture concepts for the trend space at the annual trade show Interiors Birmingham. Working alongside fellow designer-makers Hendzel&Hunt and the DesignersBlock team they successfully put on a stunning show, that successfully re launched Ercol to a new market. The collaborators have since worked together on other exhibitions in Milan and London, and are making plans to continue their collaboration success in future.
Visit www.puffandflock.com
