The 2012 Wallpaper* Design Awards party in London
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Sealed in print and brought to life in an annual celebratory showcase, the Design Awards is our definitive pat on the back to everything that has rocked the Wallpaper* universe. And with London being crowned this year's Best City in our Judges' Awards, what better way to wave our party flag than from a grand Beaux-Arts building - designed by Sir Edwin Cooper in 1912, now being repurposed by David Collins Studio (opens in new tab) and architects Woods Bagot (opens in new tab) - in the heart of British capital, where we put together an award-worthy bash for all our friends from the worlds of art, architecture, design and fashion.
And so, the generators were fired up for our guests at 10 Trinity Square (opens in new tab), an impressive but currently electricity-free London landmark, which sits unoccupied as it undergoes its metamorphosis into a luxury hotel, 42 apartments and a private members' club.
As the revellers arrived - including the likes of David Chipperfield (opens in new tab), Grayson Perry (opens in new tab), Simon de Pury (opens in new tab), David Collins, Jaime Hayon (opens in new tab), Nendo (opens in new tab) and Tom Dixon - they were ushered up an imposing marble staircase, stopping on the way to take in an installation of award-winning items on the first floor landing, before reaching the main party rooms.
With champagne provided by Veuve Clicquot (opens in new tab), beer by Peroni (opens in new tab), water from Voss (opens in new tab) and some very punchy whiskey sours courtesy of Glenmorangie (opens in new tab) - every palate was catered for. Meanwhile, ingredients sourced within Greater London by our favourite party caterer Cellar Society (opens in new tab) gave a delicious nod to our city of the year.
A glittering army of guests and Wallpaper* staffers - with some of our male team clothed in outfits by our supporters Slowear (opens in new tab) - gave much reason for people-watching. Revellers flitted between a series of four inter-connecting wood-paneled exhibition rooms, where the winning products were beautifully displayed, before partying into the night in the historic ballroom - aptly updated with 21st century touches such as a custom-built glitter dance floor, music by DJs Trevor Jackson (opens in new tab) and Lou Hayter (opens in new tab), and iPads on stands displayed with exclusive preview content from the Design Awards ipad edition.
The historic ballroom on the second floor, which Wallpaper* aptly updated for the party with 21st century touches such as a custom-built glitter dance floor
iPads on stands gave guests a chance to sample exclusive preview content from the Design Awards ipad edition
Architect Sir David Chipperfield celebrates winning Best Public Building (for the Hepworth Wakefield) with his wife Evelyn
Left: Designer of the year Oki Sato of Nendo
Right: Interior designer David Collins
Designer Bethan-Laura Wood
Wallpaper* Editor-in-Chief Tony Chambers with designer Jaime Hayón, winner of Best Rug for his design for the Rug Company
Ceramicist and Wallpaper* Design Awards judge Grayson Perry
From left: London Design Festival director Ben Evans, Kristina Hasan, designer Tom Dixon (with Molly the dog) and Silvia Quintanilla of Carnovsky
Guests sipped on Veuve Clicquot champagne as they flicked through the pages of the Design Awards ipad edition
Marco Muggiano, communications director of Italian fashion brand Slowear, supporter of the 2012 Design Awards, together with Wallpaper* Bespoke director Mark Stobbs (wearing a Glanshirt and Incotex trousers from Slowear)
Left: Architect and winner of the Best New Restaurant award, Sanjit Manku
Right: Interior designers Alvise Orsini and Martin Brudnizki
Auctioneer and Wallpaper* Design Awards judge Simon de Pury with his wife Michaela
Architects Elmar Ludescher and Angelica Stefan of Elmar Ludescher Architects, whose Haus am Berg Isel in Austria was nominated for Best New Private House
Left: Architects Andy Groarke and Kevin Carmody
Right: Bianca Luzi and Raïssa Verhaeghe of Raf Simons, who won Best New Menswear Collection
Wallpaper* interiors & finance account director Malcolm Young and Tony Chambers
Simon and Amanda Mann
Winners of the Best Wallpaper award, Francesco Rugi and Silvia Quintanilla of Carnovsky
Our favourite party caterer Cellar Society kept appetites satiated with a selection of hearty mini pies and gourmet sandwich 'experience' stations
A close-up of the honey roast ham experience
Journalist Harriet Quick and Harry Handelsman of Manhattan Loft Corporation
Model Naty Chabanenko with hair stylist Mark Hampton
The Wallpaper* Design Awards party in full swing
Some celebrated more than others
All the award-winning items (bar the occasional house or actual human being) were on show throughout the party. Revellers were ushered up an imposing marble staircase, stopping on the way to take in an installation of items on the first floor landing, pictured here, before reaching the main party rooms on the second floor
A selection of groceries from Société-Orignal, which won the Best Spread award
Best Candlesticks: 'Twist' by Hervé Van der Straeten
A selection of items that won the Best New Grooming Product, Best Beauty Kit and Best Desk Light categories
This year's Design Awards medal was designed by London-based studio Julia, who created the typeface, entitled Premio, for the Design Awards issue
A model of Herzon & De Meuron's Tate Modern project - one of the items representing London, winner of the Best City category
Installation view of 'La Selva - RGB The Black Series', the winning wallpaper by Milan-based duo Carnovsky, created for a 2011 show at London bar Dream Bags Jaguar Shoes
The multilayered print overlaid wallpaper reveals different images, depending on whether a red, green or blue light is shone on it
Best Floor Light: 'Sorry Giotto' light by Cattelani & Smith (best domestic design category)
Best Public Building: architectural model of Hepworth Wakefield, UK, by David Chipperfield Architects
Best New or Renovated Hotel: Playa Vik José Ignacio Uruguay, by Carlos Ott
A selection of award-winners from the Judges' Awards category
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