Heal’s has announced that GREEN GRADS, the pioneering initiative to platform UK graduates meeting environmental challenges head on, will present its third and largest major show within the retailer’s flagship building on Tottenham Court Road from 16-18 September as part of this year’s London Design Festival.

The GREEN GRADS Hub at Heal’s will occupy the entire third floor of The Manufactory, beautifully refurbished, at 196 Tottenham Court Road, through event sponsors, Heal’s, and building landlords, General Projects, and investors KKR.

GREEN GRADS is a platform for recent graduates to present their environmental projects to both the public and industry, including manufacturers, shops, galleries, curators, influencers, and the media. Primarily, GREEN GRADS put on physical shows where graduates are present to explain their ideas. They also host smaller events, and run a website and YouTube channel. The GREEN GRADS come from BA and MA courses from all over the country. They are from a wide range of disciplines, from art to engineering, additionally including product and furniture design, materials innovation, animation, graphics, ceramics, glass, textiles, fashion, interior design, and architecture.

The GREEN GRADS Hub at Heal’s is GREEN GRADS’ largest show to date. The exhibition will present final projects from a 2023 cohort of around 50 graduates, addressing a wide range of eco-issues, from climate, carbon and waste to nurturing nature.

Inventions include printing with bacteria, a paint that guzzles carbon, and an elegant chair with a seaweed seat. Multiple and beautiful new objects made from waste include a table and kitchen utensils from discarded denim, a light from broken pots, and fabulous chandeliers from junked prosecco and beer bottles. There are new ways for waste wool and timber, and old tennis balls become a sophisticated seat. “Bio-signage” is “grown” by its maker. Fabrics are coloured with natural dyes and several projects celebrate truly local production. A full-on programme includes seminars, workshops and an Awards ceremony. Art installations by RCA graduates include a handsome sculpture made from waste and The Climate Bus Stop with “subversive” bus routes.

GREEN GRADS was founded in June 2021 by multi-award-winning design journalist Barbara Chandler. To track down the GREEN GRADS, she personally trawled many degree shows all over the country, and made numerous visits to the New Designers show in Islington. Co-director is Michael Czerwinski, an experienced and creative show producer and founder/director of the successful Illustrators Fair.
A not-for-profit enterprise, GREEN GRADS is financed by industry contributors, including Heal’s (for the third year running) and headline sponsor, Design Centre Chelsea Harbour.

Says GREEN GRADS founder/curator, Barbara Chandler:

“Our vision is to fuel UK environmental action with new talent from UK Universities. It is inspiring and humbling to witness the skills, enthusiasm and dogged commitment of our emerging designers, taking responsibility for the future of the planet. We are a showcase, but also a call to action.

“We are so very grateful for the generosity of Heal’s and General Projects. For without their support, we could not provide a platform like this for our graduates, who are fighting for a better world.”

Hamish Mansbridge, CEO at Heal’s, said:

“We are delighted to be hosting The GREEN GRADS Hub this year. It is a fantastic initiative, not only in the way it creates a unique opportunity for recent graduates to showcase their talents and ideas, but also in raising awareness of the important issues we, as industry leaders, need to address.”

The GREEN GRADS Hub will join a wider programme of in-store events at Heal’s, which celebrate the past, present and future of design. From 16th – 23rd September, some of the most iconic pieces for the home will be exhibited alongside sustainable designs by recent graduates from Kingston School of Art, as selected by Heal’s in-house buyers for potential manufacture. Visitors will also be able to explore the latest pieces from Heal’s new AW23 collection, launching in September.