Last week, the design world hit Paris, but this week we’re on to England for the London Design Festivalthat takes place through Sept. 23. This year marks the festival’s 16thedition, and as in past years, the city transforms into a design-driven destination where events are held at almost every corner of the city. Highlights include exhibitions and installations at landmarks like a tea-themed exhibition by Dutch designers Scholten & Baijings at the iconic Fortnum & Mason tea shop and a modular plywood structure by architects Waugh Thistleton Architects in the courtyard of the V&A museum. (The V&A also serves as the epicenter of the festival with talks, exhibitions and design-related installations throughout). Senior leadership of NKBA is attending the LDF, but here are a few other highlights of interest to the design community.
MultiPly by Waugh Thistleton Architects and Arup was built to encourage interaction with visitors to the V&A Museum.
For the trade, shows include Decorex, 100% Design, designjunction, Focus/18, and the London Design Fair, which spotlights the newest textiles, wall coverings, furniture and accessories from every British firm under the sun and ranges from classics like the venerable fabric-and-wallpaper company Colefax & Fowler to newer iconoclasts (think Tom Dixon) along with product by up-and-coming talent.
Pooky Lighting’s Starsky chandelier is one of the new products on display at Decorex.
New products and new vendors are among the eye candy at Decorex, like this kitchen from first-time exhibitor Officine Gullo.
Plus, events are spread throughout the city in the various design districts, like long-time favorites Pimlico Road and Shoreditch. Each district hosts its own series of product launches, workshops, talks and tours, along with designated walking routes that’ll take visitors to events clustered together.
Painted rattan and how to use it indoors is the subject of a talk by Soane’s creative director Lucy Lytle, who owns one of the few remaining rattan-weaving workshops in England.
For more information and a thorough guide on all of the festival’s happenings, check outLondon Design Festival.
