Makers who create unique pieces, combining old knowledge and technological expertise, artists who thrill you with poetic, spectacular installations and designers, from renowned figures such as Patricia Urquiola, Ross Lovegrove and Konstantin Grcic to emerging designers. Companies that specialize in furnishing, lighting, bathrooms and kitchens, wallpaper, rugs, as well as fashion houses, jewellery makers, watch makers and car manufacturers.
The London Design Festival 2017 offers this and much more. The event, which is now in its 15th edition, will enliven the British capital with design from 16 to 24 September.
The nine-day festival will offer over 400 events, installations, exhibitions and presentations.
There are many locations that are worth a visit: 9 Design District, with two new entrances, the Mayfair Design District and Pimlico Road Design District, as well as the Bankside Design District, Brixton Design Trail, Brompton Design District, Chelsea Design Quarter, Clerkenwell Design Quarter, Islington Design District and Shoreditch Design Triangle.
“Each of the nine Design Districts”, explains Ben Evans, the festival director, “allows you to immerse yourself in the peculiarities of the neighbourhood. All the areas are different and reflect the variety of design. And just down the road you can find different things on offer.”
Other important locations obviously include the five Design Destinations: 100%Design, Decorex International, designjunction, Focus/17 and the London Design Fair.
But it does not end here: for the first year, LDF is organizing the Design Routes, which include Notting Hill, Haker Mile and South East Maker Club.
For over a week, showrooms will also be open in the evening, hosting exhibitions, talks with design world representatives, workshops and interactive routes.
Museums will also take part in the festival: the London Design Museum invites enthusiasts, professionals and anyone curious about design to meet Dutch designer Hella Jongerius, who has made color her mission.
Meanwhile, the Victoria & Albert Museum hosts the Trasmission installation by Ross Lovegrove and Alcantara, a spectacular, sinuous, three-dimensional 25-metre-long tapestry.
It is impossible to single out the “best” events, but we would certainly include the following: in Brompton, the docu-film Amare Gio Ponti, a tribute to the famous maestro by Molteni&C|Dada.
Designjunction devotes plenty of space to young people with a double award: the Rado Star Prize, promoted by watchmaking company Rado, and the Renault competition for students of Central Saint Martins college.
London proves to be the international capital of design, hosting creatives from all over the world: at the London Design Fair, the US is the Guest Country, alongside Sweden, Poland, Scotland (and many others) in dedicated pavilions.
Last but not least, be sure to see the installations, such as Villa Walala, the playful, colorful castle by Camille Walala in the Broadgate Circus area, an island where you can socialize, relax and feel inspired.