The London Design Festival is soon to blow out fifteen birthday candles, and going to celebrate such relevant anniversary with an extensive agenda of events and installations spreading throughout the British capital in the days between Sept. 16th and 24th, 2017. Expecting more than 3 million visitors coming from 75 different countries, the current edition is going to finally declare London – at least, according to its Mayor Sadiq Khan – the world design capital (for the peace of all Milanese people). But let’s have a quick preview.
Traditionally, the London Design Week is a major hub of events and expos scattered up and down the city; apart from the well-established venues and institutions across town, the festival is now landing in the Mayfair district and touching prestigious design galleries of the likes of Carpenters Workshop Gallery, Mazzoleni, Galerie Kreo, Gallery Fumi. Alongside Decorex International – the undisputed place to be when it comes to interior decoration – and Focus/17, the creative and commercial platform settled in Design Centre (Chelsea Harbour), also 100% Design, Designjunction and The London Design Fair trade shows are also taking place in collaboration with Elle Decor Italia as media partner.
100% Design (Sept. 20th-23rd, 2017), the largest design and architecture trade show in the UK roaring since 1995, is going to unravel around the theme of ‘Elements’. All design elements (from materials to processes) will be explored through ad hoc talks, installations and exhibitions. Curated by new Content Editor Max Fraser, the entrance will display a few iconic echoes to design history together with dramatic geometrical shapes hanging down from the Olympia ceiling so to welcome visitors in 5 different sections: Interiors, Workplace, Kitchens & bathrooms, Design & Build and Emerging Brands.
Happening for the seventh time in a row, Designjunction (Sept. 21st-24th, 2017) involves more than 200 brands and 5 locations (Cubitt House and Cubitt Park, The Canopy, Granary Square and The Crossing) along with the more traditional King’s Cross, all engaged in a magic tour across London and contemporary design. The ‘Gateways’ pavilion, designed by Adam Nathaniel Furman and commissioned by Turkishceramics, deserves some special attention: a series of four gates built four metres high, each encompassing a different design story inspired to Turkish traditions (photo below). Moreover, Campari is expected to bring the genuine spirit of Milan to London by installing a customised barge, while Renault UK will introduce the TreZor prototype within a futuristic, interactive environment.
And again, the London Design Fair headquarters (Old Truman Brewery, Sept. 21st-24th, 2017) in East London will accommodate over 500 exhibitors from 28 different countries, and include both Tent London & Super Brands London, alongside a growing host of international trade showcases. Italy is clearly joining up, represented by Apulian creative atelier Officine Tamborrino (Ostuni). USA are this year’s guest country – to this end, check out the ‘Assembly’ pavilion and the work of American glassmaker John Hogan.
A major feature of the Festival since 2007, Landmark Projects is due to run in full swing from Set. 16th to 24th, 2017; Camille Walala’s immersive and playful installation, named Villa Walala, will be erected in Broadgate as a colourful 3D-printed castle. Instead, the Festival’s long-standing partner V&A Museum will host original site-specific installations d’auteur such as Reflection Room by Flynn Talbot and Rose Lovegrove’s Transmission for Alcantara (reaching 21,3-metre length).
