Lenovo, Stella McCartney name winner of Central Saint Martins’ sustainable design contest

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Nov 3, 2022

MA furniture design student Peter Nasielski has been crowed the overall winner of Central Saint Martins’ sustainable design competition, supported by technology brand Lenovo and designer/conscious luxury pioneer Stella McCartney.

Nasielski was chosen for his innovative eyewear design, made from regenerative algae seaweed. The winning piece by the Californian student was revealed at an event held at McCartney’s Old Bond Street, London, store.

The collaboration saw 38 MA Design students from Central Saint Martins “explore the relationship between fashion and technology to create a sustainable solution, [and] aimed to inspire and empower the next generation of eco-conscious designers through innovative Lenovo Yoga technology”. 

Throughout the eight-week project, the students “created extraordinary and futuristic designs” with Nasielski inspired by regenerative farming practices, which led to the development of his eyewear design made from bioplastic material. 

Using cutting-edge technology powered by the Lenovo Yoga 9i, he used coding algorithms to mimic the aesthetics and dynamics of natural algae formations, creating the basis of his winning design. 

Nasielski’s has been awarded a three-month internship at Stella McCartney in a department of his choice, plus an internship with Lenovo’s design innovation team at its headquarters in North Carolina. 

McCartney said: “I was so inspired by the [overall] level of creativity and innovation. I chose Peter as my winner not only because his regenerative kelp and algae farming project touches on something we are already looking into, but it also seems the most viable as a material innovation for both my team and Lenovo.
 
She added: “I really want to continue this conversation and help to make some of their creations a reality because I see a lot of viable solutions in what I was presented. I am so inspired by and honoured to support this next generation of innovation!”

Nasielski said: “Throughout these eight weeks, I have been challenged and empowered to think beyond sustainability and, as a result, I have created something that aims to inspire and make change for the regenerative future of the fashion industry.”