The ever-growing Focus/16 opens at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour for its yearly contribution to London Design Festival, and this time Wallpaper* are getting involved in the action with an installation of our favourites from the collections at London's essential one-stop-shop.
This year’s iteration promises more range than ever, with 15 new showrooms, and 127 events set across the six days. Since its upgrade from specialising in the decorative side of design, to becoming a retail panorama and crucial point of reference for the capital’s design firms and international visitors, the west London space now harbours a refined offering of the unique portfolio of luxury European brands and local marquees. Fresh in from Milan’s Salone del Mobile are highlights including Galotti & Radice's sophisticated vanity table, playful side tables from Porada, and an indulgent velvet sofa from Edra. These are joined by the talks from the likes of Patricia Moroso, and a specialised exhibition that explores that narrowing bridge between art and design with featured works from international designers from David Collins Studio and Formafantasma to Kelly Wearstler.
With Wallpaper* following the Design Centre’s evolution, our editors trawled 120 showrooms and 600 brands to present our top Design Centre picks. In a layered set up, starting with intriguing textured materials from Rubelli and Kirkby Design, these are enriched by a decorative 1950s Cole & Son wallpaper. The range of the wondrous finishes extends to the furniture pieces, with Cecccoti’s curvaceous wood and verde mediterraneo marble 'Fagiolo' tables, and Armani Casa’s 'Halcon' vase of pure Murano.
And the diverse blend doesn’t stop there, Focus/16 is having a moment for craft too with a bespoke 3ft aerial installation as their centrepiece to the event, and workshops from talents including RCA graduate Stuart Carey ceramics.
Pictured: Galotti & Radice’s ’Selene’ vanity table
Since its upgrade from specialising in the decorative side of design, the west London space now harbours a refined offering of luxury design players from across the globe.
Many of the show’s highlights include new pieces fresh from Salone del Mobile in Milan, like this indulgent velvet sofa from Edra
Pictured: new ’Circle’ carpet Rug Star at Stark Carpet
These are joined by the talks from the likes of Patricia Moroso, and a specialised exhibition that explores that narrowing bridge between art and design.
Pictured: Flexform’s Cogito Tavolino table
Honing in on our favourites from the show, the Wallpaper* installation is an eclectic mix of the most compelling pieces in a layered set up.
Pictured: Playful ’Jenny’ and ’Jonny’ side tables from Porada
This year’s iteration promises more range than ever, with 15 new showrooms, and 127 events set across the six days.
And the diverse mix doesn’t stop there, Focus/16 is having a moment for craft too with a bespoke 3ft aerial installation as their centrepiece to the event, and skilled workshops from talents including RCA graduate Stuart Carey ceramics.
INFORMATION
Focus/16 is on view from 18 until 23 September. For more information, visit the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour website (opens in new tab)
ADDRESS
Lots Road
London SW10 0XE
-
S94 Design makes the most of its uptown location to blur the lines of art and designS94 Design brings displays from Kwangho Lee, Donald Judd, Max Lamb and more to its Rafael Viñoly-designed location
-
Oasi Cashmere is taking Zegna back to its roots in the Italian Alps
Oasi Cashmere – an environmentally-conscious, all-embracing cashmere collection – is inspired by the Oasi Zegna nature park in the lush Biella Alps
-
Lynda Benglis’ seductive hall of mirrors and juicy neon eggs in London
American artist Lynda Benglis subverts expectations with new bronze sculptures and otherworldly coloured eggs in a new solo show at Thomas Dane Gallery, London
-
Prada and Formafantasma announce Prada Frames 2023 in Hong Kong and Milan
Following on from its inaugural edition during Fuorisalone 2022, Prada Frames returns with a double symposium in Hong Kong (21 – 22 March) and Milan (17 – 19 April)
-
Alessi Occasional Objects: Virgil Abloh’s take on cutlery
Best Cross Pollination: Alessi's cutlery by the late designer Virgil Abloh, in collaboration with his London studio Alaska Alaska, is awarded at the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2023
-
Design Miami 2022: highlights from the fair and around town
Design Miami 2022 (30 November – 4 December) aims at ‘rebooting the roots of our relationship with nature and collective structures, ecospheres, and urban contexts’
-
Salon Art + Design 2022: design highlights not to miss
Wallpaper* highlights from Salon Art + Design 2022, New York
-
Design Week Lagos 2022 celebrates creativity and innovation in West Africa and beyond
Curated by founder Titi Ogufere, Design Week Lagos 2022 is based on a theme of ‘Beyond The Box’
-
Designart Tokyo transforms the city into a museum of creativity
Designart Tokyo presents global design highlights through a series of exhibitions involving global creative talent and traditional Japanese craft
-
‘R for Repair’ at London Design Festival displays broken objects, re-formed
In the second half of a two-part exhibition and as part of London Design Festival 2022, ‘R for Repair’ at the V&A displays broken objects, re-formed
-
‘Finding quality through the act of making’: Pearson Lloyd celebrates 25 years of design
Pearson Lloyd’s show ‘Change Making’ reflects on past designs from its archives, showcasing the influences on and evolution of the studio, from furniture design to the NHS
