London is one of the world's most creative capitals. The London Design Festival, which was set up just over ten years ago, celebrates this fact. The week-long event has become an established moment in the global design calendar. Every September, a spectacular array of special exhibitions and installations take over the town. We've rounded up the best bits, to get you started.
designjunction
22–25 September, Kings Cross
designjunction is, without a doubt, our favourite thing about London Design Festival. Yes, it's wonderful to peruse architectural plans and the ever-narrowing gap between design and technology is fascinating. But designjunction is the best place for browsing (and buying) contemporary pieces. And this year, it's got a brand new location: Granary Square in King's Cross, right next to Central St. Martin's.
Real design magpies can head straight for shopping destination 'The Canopy' a temporary pop-up venue for 70 luxury retail brands. shop from a selection of renowned design labels selling everything from fashion accessories to technology, textiles and stationery to ceramics. Look out for brands Cherchbi, Future and Found, Tom Pigeon, Dyke and Dean and Another Studio.
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The Smile
17-25 September, Chelsea College of Art
Timber! This year, the hottest event on the design calendar isn't made of steel, or glass. Architect Alison Brooks has designed a hardwood tube which seemingly defies gravity. 'A weightless funnel of space' in the RCA grounds. Fabulous.
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V&A Highlights
17- 25 September, V&A
Every year, The V&A is a hotbed of London Design Festival activity: it's the established festival hub, with a host of installations, events, talks and workshops. We can't wait to step into 'The Green Room'; a collaboration between Italian luxury watch-maker Panerai and London design duo Glithero. The concept of this installation, which will be housed in a stairwell, creates a shifting optical landscape, which visitors can travel through. Made up of coloured strings, the piece responds the passage of time.
Head up to the V&A's Norfolk House Music Room, too, where you'll find French Designer Mathieu Lehanneur's 'Liquid Marble', a single piece of polished black marble that has been sculpted to resemble a rippling pool.
Another V&A highlight is Benjamin Hubert's Foil - an immersive installation located in the V&A’s Tapestry gallery. This 20-metre-long undulating ribbon is made from 40,000 individual metallics element - and it's beautiful.
London Design Biennale
7 – 27 September, Somerset House
The first ever London Design Biennale will coincide with the festival and take over the whole of Somerset House. Bringing together some of the world’s most exciting and ambitious designers, innovators and cultural bodies, this exhibition will explore the role of design in our collective futures.
Perrier-Jouët's Pop Up
17- 25 September, Wardour St
For the duration of the festival, visitors are invited to visit champagne house Perrier-Jouët's Soho pop up, L'Eden. Yes please.
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London Design Museum: On Loan
17-25 September, Various Locations
After £83 million and a delay of 2 years, the Design Museum will finally open down in leafy Kensington this November. Which isn't to say that the London institution isn't going to be participating in its most important event annually. The tram have announced a series of talks and displays for this year's LDF as part of their 'On Loan' campaign. There's a flurry of activity all over London.
The Design Districts
17 - 25 September
There are seven Design Districts this year spread over the capital: Brompton, Chelsea, Islington, Clerkenwell, Shoreditch, Brixton and Bankside. These hubs are areas where there are distinct concentrations of local LDF activity and events that can be traversed easily on foot.
So whether you're an East Londoner or won't stray north of the river, click through this gallery for your essential guide to each area.
| What | Highlights: London Design Festival 2016 |
| Where | Various Locations | MAP |
| When |
17 Sep 16 – 25 Sep 16, Times and dates vary |
| Price | £Prices vary across different events |
| Website | Click here for more information |
