In late September, the British capital played host to the 21st edition of the London Design Festival. Spanning 13 distinct design districts with each displaying its own character, the festival presented a diverse array of exhibitions, installations and talks. From the creative atmosphere of Shoreditch to the vibrant waterfront of Bankside, each district offered a blend of works by both established talents and emerging designers. Amid this showcase, WLLW focused on artisans, emphasizing their innovative use of sustainable materials.

Southwark Design District: ‘11:11’ Exhibition curated by Jan Hendzel Studio

Jan Hendzel Studio curated a diverse mix of talent for their ‘11:11’ exhibition at Staffordshire St. gallery in Peckham, South London. The exhibit featured everything from fine ceramics and textiles to detailed woodworking. Hendzel, known for his expertise with reclaimed timber, selected 11 esteemed designers such as Simone Brewster, Sophie Sellu and Martino Gamper for the display. Each veteran designer then chose an up-and-coming South London artist to exhibit alongside them, blending established and emerging talent.

“Our intention was to create a platform for grassroots, local talent, to be exhibited side by side with leading figures to a global audience for the design festival.” Josh Woolliscroft, Hendzel’s lead designer, shared. “The curation of the 11 established designers reflects our studio's playful and sculptural approach to design, but the 11:11 concept also enables chance encounters and elements of the unknown to play out as each of the established designers made their own choice on which emerging creative to select.”

Bankside District: Material Matters

The Bargehouse at Oxo Tower Wharf hosted ‘Material Matters’. Stretching across five floors, this event served as an international platform emphasizing the intersection of design and material innovation.

The entrance featured a mesmerizing installation by Danish textile designer Tanja Kirst. Her ‘Planted’ series exhibited textile panels that expertly melded hemp with sustainable yarns derived from citrus peels, pineapple and seaweed. ‘Digitally Woven,’ was a collaboration between Gareth Neal's East London design studio and The New Raw, a studio from the Netherlands that crafts objects from plastic waste using robots. This collaboration seamlessly connected traditional craftsmanship with contemporary digital techniques.

Several other designs emerged as clear standouts. ‘The Wicker Story’ by Hyderabad-based PRELAB DESIGN Studio offered a homage to intricate craftsmanship. London's Bill Amberg Studio showcased their Knepp collection of furniture made from wild leather, developed alongside the pioneering rewilding project at Knepp Estate in West Sussex. Lastly, Goldfinger stood out with their approach to designing and crafting exquisite furniture, emphasizing both aesthetic appeal and community impact.

Shoreditch Design Triangle: London Design Fair

Located at the iconic Truman Brewery in Shoreditch, the London Design Fair’s theme focused on the transition from mere survival to thriving. It inspired attendees to move forward, feel joy and be empowered about how they truly want to live. The fair spotlighted the British Craft Pavilion, a testament to high-end crafts exclusively produced in Great Britain and the Design Alumni Pavilion, a fresh platform for recent graduates. In addition, the Sustainable Materials Showcase illuminated the innovative repurposing of materials for a greener future.

Exhibitors displayed a mix of craftsmanship and cutting-edge solutions, such as Butterfly Air, who unveiled their nature-inspired indoor air quality monitoring system. Additionally, East London studio Wilkinson and Rivera presented their timber furniture showcasing artistry with locally sourced materials.

Brompton Design District: Cromwell Place, ‘The Farm Shop’ and the V&A

Brompton Design District, under the theme of 'conviviality', delved into how design shapes positive relationships among people, the spaces they reside in, and the broader world. At the heart of this district, Cromwell Place buzzed with activity, showcasing a diverse range of designers from budding talents to established figures.

Fels, showcasing the best in contemporary design, presented ‘The Farm Shop’, a project by designer Marco Campardo, architect Guan Lee and curator Luca Lo Pinto. This initiative brought together myriad designers, architects and studios to create a functional exhibition space paired with dining homewares. Beyond mere product display, the emphasis was on community exchange and how design can connect us deeply to our surroundings.

Lastly, the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), renowned for its focus on decorative arts and design, showcased the Emerging Designer Commission. Within its halls, Andu Masebo breathed new life into a vintage Alfa Romeo Cloverleaf, repurposing it into domestic furnishings.

London Design Festival took place from September 16th to 24th, 2023.

Photography: Material Matters, Jan Hendzel Studio & BJ Deakin Photography, Tanja Kirst, Goldfinger, James Champion, London Design Fair, George Baggaley & Andy Stagg, Wilkinson & Rivera, Butterfly Sapho, V&A & Andu Masebo