Clerkenwell Design Week
Our pick of the annual London design fair from rising stars to installations
Beat the crowds by heading straight to our highlights of the 10th anniversary of Clerkenwell Design Week on 21–23 May
The breakthrough
‘Platform’, held in the House of Detention, is where you’ll discover rising design stars. This year, our highlight is Gwendoline Porte’s ‘Rails’ collection, a series of modular shapes that can be used for seating and storage. Inspired by railway tracks, the recent University of the Arts, London graduate wanted to create furniture that could be flexible – the pieces can make a sculptural statement, fade into the background or be added to over time. gwendolineporte.design
The pop-up
Recognising the blurring boundaries between living and working spaces, Established & Sons will debut ‘@Work’, a new collection of furniture suitable for use in either environment. The London-based brand has invited the Bouroullec brothers, Konstantin Grcic and Sebastian Wrong to design pieces that tick all the boxes for flexibility, comfort and style. The collection will be in co-working space Fora, where visitors will be able to try it out with free hot-desking over the week. establishedandsons.com; foraspace.com
The new classic
With all the hallmarks of a new design icon, True North Designs’ the ‘Regatta’ chair has a classic Scandi aesthetic, but with one important difference. Noticing a lack of furniture that marries mid-century style with the functionality of stacking, the brand and self-taught designer Asger Soelberg set about creating a piece that could do just that without compromising on style. See it at the Design Fields venue in Spa Fields. truenorth-designs.com
The installation
For its 10th anniversary, Clerkenwell Design Week has teamed up with students from Chelsea College of Arts’ BA Graphic Design Communication course to present ‘Once Upon a Time’, a series of installations inspired by the area’s rich past. Each one is a response to stories about the specific site they appear in, including Alistair Range’s colourful design for St James Church. Discover them all on a walking tour with Lansdown’s London. lansdowns.london
The lighting launch
Revellers should head to ‘Light’, held at nightclub Fabric, to discover the latest in illumination trends. Swedish brand Pholc is launching several exciting new designs, including ‘Bounce’, a contemporary reimagining of a chandelier. Available in two sizes, the graphic, geometric composition brings a playful energy to interiors, while its slim profile means it can be used in smaller spaces. pholc.se
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