4 Hidden gems not to miss at this years London Design Festival
This month the design world is very busy with shows and events on all over London, our city of the month. You have Decorex, 100% Design, designjunction, London Design Fair and the London Design Festival – which is what we’re going to explore today…
London Design Festival is a huge affair, with events running all across the city, to celebrate and promote London as a design capital of the world. With venues and installations dotted all around, we have tried to pull out 4 of the hidden gems, that we feel cant be missed.
1. Shoreditch Design Triangle
The Shoreditch Design Triangle is a true celebration of the area, hosted by the creative companies who work there. This year, the district blended together a range of product launches, exhibitions, installations, workshops, talks and tours.
Pop-up installation – Surfaces for the senses
RB12 Design Shop (A new concept store), EC2A 3EZ| 15-23 September | 10AM-6PM
You’ll be able to see, touch and smell the components of RB12’s surface ranges from cotto tiles, innovative plaster solutions, raw earth finishes, timber and more!
Combining clay, water, minerals, age-old techniques and then modern design, these natural materials can be turned into the most beautiful wall and floor coverings.
We especially love the tiles from Botteganove, pictured above.
2. For music lovers
For something a little outside the box, As part of the V&A projects of LDF18, musician and technology innovator Beatie Wolfe will present a series of album innovations that explore what design for music can mean in the digital age.
Beatie Wolfe: The Art of Music in the Digital Age
V&A Museum, SW7 2RL | 15-23 September 2018 |10am – 5:45pm daily, 10pm close on Friday
A collaboration with Nokia Bell Labs and Design I/O there will be 3D vinyl for phones; an intelligent album deck of cards; and a musical jacket designed by Mr Fish, the tailor who dressed David Bowie, made from BeatWoven fabric woven with Wolfe’s music.
Wolfe’s latest design is the Raw Space Chamber, which will allow visitors to enter an anechoic chamber and immerse themselves in a ceremonial listening experience, while live AR animations bring the album’s artwork and lyrics to life in real-time – I’m intrigued!
3. Clerkenwell Design Quarter
With a host of BCFA members located in this quarter, take a look at what some of them are up to during the festival.
Morgan Furniture: The Art of Collaboration
British design duo, Expanded Eye have placed a stunning installation in the Morgan showroom and they will be hosting a sample sale of ex-display products, with a preview party on Tuesday 18th September.
Milliken: ‘Fine detail’ competition | Monday 17th – Friday 21st September 2018
To accompany the launch of their upcoming ‘Fine Detail’ carpet tile collection, featuring gold, silver, rose gold and copper metallic yarns, Milliken has organised a design competition in partnership with the prestigious design school ENSCI-Les Ateliers (École Nationale Supérieure de Création Industrielle).
The work will be displayed in Milliken’s central Paris showroom during Paris Design Week and then will travel to Milliken’s Clerkenwell showroom for the London Design Festival where it will be exhibited at 5 Berry Street.
4. Pimlico Road Design District
Whilst the Pimlico Road Design District celebrates its second year as part of London Design Festival, the district has long been known as one of London’s most important and well-established areas for interior design, art, antiques and fine furniture.
Cox London: The Importance of Drawing in Design | 194 Ebury Street, SW1W 8UP |17-21 September
An interesting discussion on design process (one of our months themes) with sculptor-maker Chris Cox and interior designer Sophie Elborne of Kitesgrove discuss how pieces and processes should always start on the page.
“Drawing helps you put your thoughts in order and can make you think in different ways.”
– David Hockney
For more information about the London Design Festival click here.