September 2008 – RUGMARK ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF ITS FIRST ETHICAL RUG DESIGN COMPETITION.

RugMark UK has announced the winners of its ethical rug design competition. This is the first year for the competition, which aims to raise awareness about the ethics of rug manufacturing amongst design students and interior designers.

The competition was open to students registered at universities in the UK and Ireland, and was won by Ruchi Goyal, an MA student at Nottingham Trent University. Her prize was a trip to Kathmandu to see her rug being hand knotted by skilled artisans.

"The best thing about my trip to Kathmandu was when I entered the workshop and saw my rug on the loom" says Ruchi aged 27

"The most important and wonderful thing that RugMark does is to take children out of the rug factories and give them the safe and healthy environment that a child needs. It helps them with their schooling and development when their families can't afford it."

Ruchi Goyal's winning design

The second prize was won by Samantha Doe of Colchester College, and both rugs were on display at 100% Design Show in London from 18-21 September.

Samantha Doe's design won second place

Samantha Towle, Director of RugMark UK was delighted with the high quality of designs submitted, but said that "the challenge for RugMark is to make sure that all rugs imported to the UK from South Asia carry the RugMark label."

"This contest and trip has provided me with a great insight into the rug making industry, and has given me exposure not only on the professional front but also on the humane level." Said Ruchi

The third prize was won by Fiona Wilson, a second year student at Bradford College.

Fiona Wilson's design won third place

During her visit, Ruchi also visited the rehabilitation centre run by RugMark Nepal, where former child weavers are cared for and receive an education. Many of the rescued children have completed vocational training to become carpenters and motorbike mechanics, or have gone on to high school – aiming to become teachers themselves.

Financial assistance for this competition was received from the European Union and MRDF.

For further information please contact Samantha Towle on 00 44 7740 459279
Email info@rugmark.org.uk