Global update: London Design Festival

By Sophie Burton
Viva
A wall covering from HMS Studio. Photo / Supplied.

Last week, London Design Festival descended on the capital city, celebrating Britain's vast talent, with independent showings from the latest and greatest, glittering product launches from high profile brands, historic tributes and fantastical art installations.

Since its inception 12 years ago, the festival has gone from strength to strength, moving away from well trodden traditional British design cliche, rife with royal trimmings, and kitsch detailings, offering up a glimpse of modern instead. London continues to grow into its reputation as a hot spot where economic diversity, creative talent and big business converge, and events such as this only confirm the city's place as a global creative magnet.

From Design Junction, the mega show with more than 120,000sq ft devoted to exhibitors from around the world, to Tent London, where one is just as likely to be delighted over the work of recent graduates as the creations by major heavyweights, this year's edition was stuffed full.

If you weren't able to jet set to the motherland, here are four highlights from the 300-plus events that you should know about.

1. HMS Studio and its head designer Helen Strevens (celebrated set designer forLord of the Rings, The Hobbit and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) launched a fresh collection of wall coverings, including the above, as part of 100% Design, one of the London Design Festival's biggest showcases of emerging and established designers. Ph (09) 550 8070.

The original chaise longue, pictured with Charlotte Perriand. Photo / Supplied.
The original chaise longue, pictured with Charlotte Perriand. Photo / Supplied.

2. Cassina's LC4 CP chaise longue, designed by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand, was re-launched as part of a special showcase by the Italian brand. Titled Charlotte Perriand: An Icon of Modernity, the exhibition pays tribute to the pioneering, non-conformist French designer. Cassina is available locally at Matisse, Ph (09) 302 2284.

Nat Cheshire's Parison pendant light from Resident. Photo / Supplied.
Nat Cheshire's Parison pendant light from Resident. Photo / Supplied.

3. New Zealand-based Resident showed key pieces, including Nat Cheshire's Parison pendant light, as part of Viaduct's Show 9, which featured Menu, Minimalux and more. Ph (09) 377 555.

B&B Italia featured these striking Button tables by design duo BarberOsgerby. Photo / Supplied.
B&B Italia featured these striking Button tables by design duo BarberOsgerby. Photo / Supplied.

4. B&B Italia on London's Brompton Rd presented their 2014 collection, which included the striking Button tables by design duo BarberOsgerby. B&B Italia is available locally from Studio Italia, ph (09) 523 2105.

Share this article:

Featured