British design is in rude health, and for proof you need only look to the talent on display across this year’s festival, held from 12–20 September. Anticipation is rising as designers – both established names and emerging talents – reveal details of the vast array of exhibitions, installations, talks and events that will once again cement London’s status as a global design capital.
As Ben Evans, director and co founder of London Design Festival, puts it: ‘London retains its allure.’ While the festival is traditionally mapped across districts, we’ve simplified things to focus on the events not to be missed across the east, west and centre of the capital.
Our edit brings together a selection of experiences that are as varied as London itself. Whether you want to see fresh takes on traditional crafts, colourful redesigns of iconic venues or a thought-provoking pavilion on the bank of the Thames, there is something to excite any design fan. Be sure to clear your diary – it’s going to be a busy and inspiring week…
Central
‘The Pangolin Shield’, Strand Aldwych
Studio Saar’s landmark pavilion on the bank of the River Thames near Somerset House will explore dualities, says co-founder Ananya Singhal: ‘protection and vulnerability, craft and technology, East and West’. ‘Inspired by the endangered pangolin, Indian police shields and rain shields (knups), it transforms objects associated with defence and confrontation into a protective canopy for shelter and communion. Created in collaboration with Atelier One, it celebrates craft and regional materiality, with the bamboo woven to form its canopy coming from across India (Meghalaya, Punjab and Karnataka). 12-20 September, studiosaar.design
USM Record Shop, USM
Design savvy vinyl collectors have long coveted the storage potential of USM’s modular furniture. So, for this year’s London Design Festival the brand is collaborating with Symbol Audio and The Vinyl Factory to turn its Marylebone showroom into a working record shop with a coffee bar. As well as finding your new audio obsession, it’s a chance to view USM’s new collection of sound solutions, which include speakers and subwoofers, and listen to live DJ sets. From 12 September, usm.com
‘Labyrinth Dreams’, Bocci x Bethan Laura Wood
Designer Bethan Laura Wood can always be relied on to bring an injection of colour to London Design Week. This year, she is presenting a new purple version of Bocci’s iconic ‘14p’ lamp with an installation at 15 Bateman Street that promises to have scenography inspired by the late, great David Bowie. 12-20 September, bocci.com
‘Blueprint’, Mint Gallery
The legendary design gallery on Soho’s Duke Street will be exploring how traditional craft techniques can become the foundation for bold, contemporary design. Featuring work by Paris-based lighting designer Lucas Zito alongside Order Matter’s ‘As Found’ pieces and Ao Han, the exhibition reframes heritage skills as a living resource instead of a historical record. 12-20 September, mintgallery.co.uk
‘Afterimage’, Monologue
The gallery’s recently opened Mayfair outpost transforms into a landscape of shifting reflections. At the centre of the show is a circular mirror by Monologue founder Pavel Klimczak and Paraforma on a gridded stainless-steel platform, while pieces by Tacchini and 6:AM Glass, Paul Matter and Henry Svendsen continue themes of ‘light, memory and materials’. 12-20 September, monologuelondon.com
‘Johnny’ lighting, Faye Toogood
The House of Toogood will be open on 15 and 16 September for a sneak peek at the designer’s new lighting collection. The three scrunchable paper forms have been hand-cut and sewn by traditional British lampshade makers. fayetoogood.com
‘With Limitations’, Aram
Doing its part to make London Design Festival more accessible to creatives, Aram is hosting a free-to-enter exhibition in its basement gallery. Conceived as a fictional apartment, the show brings together 123 objects by designers from across the UK, including chairs by Studio Session. Also, don’t forget to wander up to the first floor, where Italian furniture brand Arflex presents landmark pieces from its archive alongside its latest releases. 11 September-10 October, aram.co.uk
‘Reviving Craft: Reflection of the Mind’, Somerset House
Travel to China without stepping out of London thanks to Su Dan and Yang Lan – the curators have brought together 60 artisans who’ve shaped China’s craft heritage. Among the creatives is fibre artist Shuang Xi, whose tactile works trace the marks of time. 16-27 September, en.chinasunmedia.com
‘Crafted Futures’, Oxo Gallery
Presented by Design-Nation, this market sees 35 of the UK’s most exciting designers (including Tangent Accessories, Sarah-May Johnson and Angela Ibbs, pictured) come together across the mediums of ceramics, jewellery, textiles, glass, wood, metal and lighting. Meet the makers, discover their processes and purchase original pieces. 9-20 September, designnation.co.uk
Camille Walala installation, Sketch
Mayfair restaurant Sketch gets a makeover every year from one creative chosen to transform its entrance. This time, Camille Walala takes the reins with an abstract, large scale cityscape. The interior’s existing blue walls and flooring become the backdrop to her bold mural, complemented by a pair of vintage Pierre Paulin chairs. 10 September-10 November, sketch.london
‘Reflections’, Mandarin Oriental Mayfair
As its name suggests, this four-month-long exhibition is centred on the concept of mirroring, with reflective surfaces transforming the hotel and inviting visitors to see familiar spaces anew. 8 September-31 January, mandarinoriental.com
East
New Designers Selects, Kachette
This showcase for new talent (usually part of the fair held in July) is debuting at LDF. ‘For four decades, New Designers has launched emerging talent and ND Selects extends that mission, showcasing designers one to five years into business, selected for originality, quality and commercial potential,’ explains Director Sally Bent. Who does she sugest to look out for? One of her picks is Dan Davies Design (his ‘Hem’ stool is pictured above). 15-17 September, newdesigners.com
‘Material Matters’, Unlocked Shoreditch
The event to discover innovative uses of materials has a new home: a former industrial warehouse on Curtain Road. Make a beeline for Tabitha Bargh’s handmade recycled cardboard lampshades, which are sure to make some rethink sustainable design. 15-17 September, materialmatters.design
Fritz Hansen Sound Club
The Danish brand’s new collaboration with audio brand Technics, which was presented as part of a sonic installation during Copenhagen’s 3DaysofDesign, is popping up during LDF at a space on Cowcross Street. It’s a chance to see new product, but more than that it’s a moment to take a beat and truly enjoy an experience. Three distinct domestic spaces will be open to kick back and listen to vinyl curated by Danish DJ Willone. 15-17 September, fritzhansen.com
Collate Lobby
This platform’s inaugural exhibition is highly anticipated, offering the chance to view work by young and emerging designers and studios. Each of the makers (which include Lorenzo Mckechnie – one of the talents highlighted in our October issue – on sale now!) were given an open brief: ‘create a piece that deserves to live in the Lobby’. The Lobby will be popping up at Pearson Lloyd Gallery on Hackney’s Yorkton Road Studios, with every piece available to buy. A chance to invest in the future of British design. 12-20 September, @collate_lobby
‘Zebra’ accessories by Artek, Tramshed
Displayed in the Tramshed’s basement will be new pieces alongside some of the Finnish brand’s best known designs. Our pick is ‘Zebra’, the graphic jacquard first introduced by Aino Aalto in 1935, which returns in a new brown-and-white colourway across cushions and bags. 12-20 September, artek.fi
‘The Chant Chambers’ by Lee Broom
Stop by the designer’s Shoreditch showroom to see the launch of a new world of opportunities for his ‘Chant’ lamp – originally launched as his first portable light. Expect new scales, compositions and architectural structures in a space that promises to be atmospheric. leebroom.com
‘Progressive Permanence’, Christopher Farr Cloth
Max Radford Gallery will present archival works, including Louise Bourgeois’s rug ‘Has the Day Invaded the Night? Has the Night Invaded the Day?’, alongside young studios such as LS Gomma, at the rugmaker’s showroom on Calvin Street. The idea is to create a dialogue between generations. 15-20 September, maxradfordgallery.com; christopherfarrcloth.com
‘Travel Light’, The Hoxton Shoreditch
Ahead of the festival, hotelier The Hoxton and cutting-edge gallery Slancha put out an open call asking for designers to respond to the idea of contemporary travel and modern living. More than 200 submissions spanning furniture, lighting, textiles, tote bags and travel accessories were received and have since been whittled down to a select few, which will be shoppable at The Hox Shop. 12-20 September, thehoxton.com
The Wax Building
This space is a must visit for two reasons. Stop by to see Tamart, the furniture brand started by Amos Goldreich to honour the work of his parents Tamar de Shalit and Arthur Goldreich, which is launching two new iterations of its ‘Clore’ range: the ‘Clore Bead’ pendant and the ‘Clore Beam’ within an immersive room set. Don’t leave before you have explored housemate Cozmo’s new configuration of the ‘Rest’ sofa, with fabric designed by Raw Edges and Byborre. Also, ask to be taken to the brand’s studio upstairs, where you can view sketches and prototypes of the ‘Ginkgo’ and ’Squarish’ designs. 15-20 September, tamartdesign.com
‘A Lasting Imprint’ tiles by Bert & May, The Mix
This new collaboration between the tile brand and Sister by Studio Ashby launches during the festival at the canal-side warehouse in Bethnal Green. Folklore inspires its three wild designs – ‘Mansaa’ the lion and ‘Volo’ the bird, as well as ‘Naom’ the rabbit – reflecting courage, joy and empathy, respectively. Handcrafted and richly glazed, the tiles come in four earthy colourways. 12-20 September, bertandmay.com
Isola, House of Icon
This international design platform returns to Shoreditch Town Hall, uniting emerging designers and independent studios from around the globe in a fanfare of talent. Expect bold ideas centred on innovation, sustainability and bio-materials. Also at the venue, look out for 2LG Studio’s ‘Messy Heart’ – a vibrant showcase celebrating emotion, individuality and connection, alongside new textiles, lighting and home accessories. A must-visit for design lovers seeking fresh, forward-thinking ideas. 15-17 September, isola.design
West
‘Studio Iron’, The Lavery
Curator Isamaya Ffrench (pictured) is bringing her eclectic roster of makers – who include Kouros Maghsoudi, Kelly Wearstler, Buchanan Studio and Jesse Butterfield – to Brompton for the first time. She will be mixing fine art and fashion because, as she notes, ‘Why should one automatically carry more value than another? If someone spends months making a tapestry from chainmail and beads, why shouldn’t that be experienced as art?’. 12-20 September, studio-iron.com
‘Motion Sickness’, The Conran Shop
Celebrating 10 years of kinetic experimentation, this exhibition by London-based design duo Isabel + Helen offer a playful peek into the work of their studio, which has created memorable installations for the worlds of art and fashion. In the duo’s creative hands, movement, materials and handmade mechanisms transform into paintings, sculpture and even products. Expect joyfully tactile pieces designed as an antidote to digital transience, with limited editions available to buy at the Sloane Square store from £250. Highlights include kinetic ‘Blimps’, handmade stools and the pair’s colourful ‘Twister’ paintings. 12-20 September, theconranshop.com
‘It All Starts With a Tile’, Bisazza
For the week of London Design Festival, design journalist Kate Watson-Smyth has reimagined Bisazza’s showroom at 60 Sloane Avenue as an elevated domestic space. It will become a spot to gather and discuss design, while marvelling at the brand’s mosaics and getting a first look at two new collections: ‘Smalto Puro’ and ‘Collezione AMDL CIRCLE’ designed by Michelle de Lucchi. bisazza.com
‘There’s No Place Like It’, The Royal Society of Sculptors
The ever-resourceful former fashion designer turned ceramicist Henry Holland is curating this exhibition to be presented at the recently renovated home of the Royal Society of Sculptors at Dora House on Old Brompton Road. Bringing together works by society members, it explores the idea of home through objects, places, memories and relationships, asking what it is that makes somewhere feel like it truly belongs to us. Expect an eclectic and quirky mix of contemporary sculpture. From 19 September, sculptors.org.uk
‘Craft x Tech’, The V&A
Returning to the venerated museum for its second edition, the programme that pairs highly skilled Japanese craftspeople with international designers this year counts Philippe Malouin, Bethan Laura Wood, Atang Tshikare and David Caon among its alumni. Across six weeks, traditional techniques meet contemporary design through new works spanning lacquerware, ceramics, washi paper, shibori dyeing, kumihimo braiding, ironware, woven silk and cabinetry. Highlights include Malouin’s ‘Kasane’ (pictured) – stackable cloisonné enamel boxes inspired by Kyoto’s gardens. 12-30 September, vam.ac.uk
‘Sense of Place’, Atelier Seventy Six
Emma Louise Payne explores the senses we often overlook in design at Atelier Seventy Six, with an immersive exhibition in Paddington unfolding room by room inside the platform’s gallery-cum-townhouse. Through specially commissioned pieces, the group show (that also includes work by Amechi Mandi and Studio Above&Below) investigates how touch, smell, taste and sound shape our experience of spaces, objects and everyday rituals. Payne will also seize the moment to launch ‘Wasted’, a new collection of cocktail glasses, carafes and tableware made from reclaimed clay and waste glass. 12-20 September, emmalouisepayne.com
‘Icons Underfoot’, Tai Ping
Seven rugs, seven decades: Tai Ping’s exhibition unites key designs from the brand’s archive, offering a snapshot of the ideas, materials and making methods that have defined its creative output over the past 70 years. Among the standout pieces is ‘Alizea I’, a rug unveiled in 2024 that is made from undyed fibres. 12-20 September, taipingcarpets.com
