London Design Week September 2010

 

Gold Leaf Workshop at the V&A

The week of 17th to 25th September marked the London Design Festival which offered participants 200 events and exhibitions to choose from. Around 150 organisations took part.

Celebrating design talent from London and around the world, visitors were able to view and get involved in design projects happening all over the capital.

The Headquarters of the London Design Festival in the Victoria and Albert museum, Kensington, London. 

At the Victoria & Albert museum we attended a talk by digital music designer Matthew Applegate which gave us a fascinating insight into the possibilities that new technology can offer in music education.

Gold Leaf Workshop at the V&A    
Mulberry Window Kensington Sep 2010 We also enjoyed a workshop on the technique of gold leafing and were happy with the quick and original brooches we made! 

Many stores made a huge effort to pull out all the stops to sparkle for Design Week. A few of our favorites include Mulberry who dazzled us with this theatrical window incorporating a silver threaded curtain, coloured glitter life sized tigers and a mannequin in a classic black dress. A powerful visual feast indeed! 

 

Mulberry Window Kensington Sep 2010   
Osbourne & Little Red Insect Window Sep 2010

In Kensington a wild nature theme continued at Osbourne & Little who stock a wonderful selection of wallpapers and fabrics from the O&L collection, Nina Campbell and Liberty to name but a few.

These exquisite insects made out of silks and trimmings were beautifully suspended in what looks like a tropical jungle.

The windows were then covered in a frosted acrylic layer to give the effect of a magnifying glass that has just highlighted an incredibly exotic species of beetle ..

Osbourne & Little Red Insect Window Sep 2010   
Light Feature 100% Design Sep 2010 In contrast we enjoyed the models with their scooters in the Pinko store in Kensington.

Perhaps this is the new way to get around Design Week next year! 

At the100% Design show we met with some familiar faces from established interior brands and also new designers from across the globe.

We were pleased to find some innovative products and finishes and we really enjoyed this fabulous central lighting display.  

 

At the100% Design show we met with some familiar faces from established interior brands and also new designers from across the globe.

We were pleased to find some innovative products and finishes and we really enjoyed this fabulous central lighting display.  

 

Light Feature 100% Design Sep 2010    

Some more alternative designers were to be found on show on the Southbank near the Oxo Tower. We rounded off our last day at the festival with a buzzing Designers Block Party. The fresh designs on display from London based graduates in several product design disciplines were impressive. It is definitely worth spending few days at the London Design Festival 2011 but be prepared to come away with a new home interiors wish list!