A report from London's new Clerkenwell Design Week
Clerkenwell has an impressive density of furniture showrooms, so it seemed a natural step that the London district should stage its own design festival. During the first, annual Clerkenwell Design Week, its showrooms laid on special exhibitions, talks and parties, while the Farmiloe Building - the festival hub - hosted a broad range of shows by an interesting mix of emerging and established names.
The last 18 months have seen many a brand open a Clerkenwell outlet, including Modus, Knoll and the Poltrona Frau Group. The latter transformed its space on St John Street into the 'London Design Village', showing highlights of the 2010 collections of Poltrona Frau, Cappellini, Cassina and Alias. A few doors down, Japanese bathroom specialist, Toto, opened its first European store, bringing with it its supersonic 'Washlet' toilet systems and minimalist bathroom fittings.
Over at the Farmiloe Building, non-Clerkenwell-based designers got a look in. Some showed new products for the first time, including Cornish brand, Mark, while others gave those that couldn't get to Milan a chance to see their products launched at the Salone del Mobile, including Tom Dixon. Shoreditch design studio Scene put on an impressive collaborative show, titled Scene Plus, with unusual pieces by independent designers.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Malaika Byng is an editor, writer and consultant covering everything from architecture, design and ecology to art and craft. She was online editor for Wallpaper* magazine for three years and more recently editor of Crafts magazine, until she decided to go freelance in 2022. Based in London, she now writes for the Financial Times, Metropolis, Kinfolk and The Plant, among others.
-
Inside Palazzo Versace Macau’s mosaic-rich extravaganza
Palazzo Versace Macau, the brand’s first hotel in Asia, continues to preserve Donatella Versace’s swanky hospitality vision
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Paolo Roversi’s poetic, timeless fashion photography celebrated in Paris exhibition
’Paolo Roversi’ at Paris’ Palais Galliera is the first large-scale exhibition of the seminal fashion photographer’s work in his home city. Curator Sylvie Lécallier tells Wallpaper* the story behind the landmark display
By Jack Moss Published
-
Molly Goddard on creating a community of contemporary brides
As new Molly Goddard bridal wear is released, the designer talks about creating romantic but real wedding dresses, while three recent brides tell the stories behind their own Goddard gowns
By Jack Moss Published