The highlights: London Design Festival brings hundreds of pop-up events to the capital — here's what you need to know
The 15th London Design Festival starts on Saturday and runs for nine days, with up to 400 events including shows, pop-ups, talks and workshops, with designers and visitors from all over the world. “All London will be a stage for global design,” promises Sir John Sorrell, festival co-founder and chairman.
Plot your route
To get started, visit the website and create your own “my festival” programme. Then hot-foot it to the V&A Museum in South Kensington, where a dedicated information desk in the front hall can help you plot a personal route. Pick up the little red guide book and a festival map. While you’re there take in a light show by Flynn Talbot, a digitally embroidered fabric sculpture by Ross Lovegrove, a delicate stone tower and a bionic chandelier.
Check out the nine “design districts”. There are walkable routes with lots that’s fun and free. You’ll find pop-up pavilions at Shoreditch, arty street crossings at Bankside and Brixton and inflatable art by Camille Walala in Exchange Square, Broadgate.
Must-visit addresses
Addresses for your route map include 79-91 New King’s Road, SW6 where eclectic antiques dealer Talisman has created a “house of decoration” with each respected designer doing a different room.
At 3 Cromwell Place, SW7, fashion’s Peter Pilotto has persuaded designer friends including Max Lamb, Martino Gamper and Bethan Laura Wood to kit out a whole house, and everything’s for sale. Next door at No 4, explore projects with a social conscience for which imaginative Londoners have nurtured craft in Lebanon, Malawi, Bosnia and Fogo Island.
And at 19 Greek Street, Graham & Brown’s House of Wallpaper offers design-led seminars and a conceptual wallpaper-inspired food pop-up.
Hands-on experiences
The festival is friendly and fast-paced. It’s your chance to meet the design professionals, attend seminars and even have a go at designing and making something yourself. Here is a taste of the special events on offer.
September 16-17: at Borough Market Hall, SE1, take an intensive hand-lettering workshop with master signwriter Mike Meyer. Price £180, visit the website to book.
September 17-21: the lifestyle store WA Green in EC2 hosts talks by successful women in design. Visit the website for times.
September 19: at Syon Park, Brentford TW8, Decorex design fair public day has 400 exhibitors and a talks programme including interiors star Nicky Haslam and Deborah Barker of Homes & Gardens. Tickets on sale for £30 here.
Make choux pastry with expert chefs at the new Sans Pere café, bar, and homewares store at 84-86 Great Eastern Street, EC2. Gold hot foil stamping is at Papersmiths, Unit 7, Boxpark, Bethnal Green Road, E1; 11am-7pm.
September 20: Heal’s, Tottenham Court Road in W1 stages a party night from 6.30pm open to all with music, drinks, designers and workshops. Next door at Habitat another party launches stylish new products with their designers on hand. Make a bone china bauble with designer/illustrator Charlene Mullen, 7 Calvert Avenue, E2, 11am-5.30pm.
September 20-22: at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, Focus design fair has talks, workshops, tours and a champagne bar.
September 21: at Central Saint Martins at designjunction, Granary Square, N1C, hone your design/drawing skills and more for free with experts from the college. Hear the future of design from Design Museum director Deyan Sudjic at Poltrona Frau, 4pm at 147-153C Fulham Road, SW3.
Tour new Czech ceramics and glass at the V&A with the artists, then visit Czech projects nearby from 12.15pm to 1.15pm. Curator Daniel Charny and panel debate “social design” at The Hour Glass pub in Brompton Road, 2:30-3:45pm. Woodwork and leather craft demos are at Smallbone, 6/7 Thurloe Place, with a pasta masterclass 4-8pm.
September 22: designer/artist Pascal Hechem explores Lebanese culture and design through food at the V&A from 5.15pm-6.15pm.
September 23-24: South East Makers Club, with designers and makers of Greenwich, Woolwich and Deptford, puts on shows, talks and demos. Make a terrarium or a stool, print a textile or bind a book. Round off the festival with a design pub quiz.
September 24: the Old Truman Brewery offers The Art of Making & Manufacturing with acrylic jewellers Tatty Devine.
