Returning for its sixth year, Clerkenwell Design Week has established itself as one of the most important design hubs in the world. A key event in the interiors calendar, CDW takes over this small area of London each year to exhibit leading UK and international brands in a series of exhibitions, showroom events, talks and pop up installations at various venues over the three days. Didnât manage to make it this year? Donât fret â hereâs a round-up of our favourite exhibitions and key trends to watch out for.
Chairs, chairs and more chairs
There seemed to be an abundance of designers and manufacturers displaying all sorts of new, interesting and quirky chair designs during CDW, transforming the humble seat from a practical piece to a design statement. Many of these new styles have been inspired by the increasingly popular Mid-Century Modern design movement, featuring wooden legs, angular backs, understated colour palettes and using retro fabrics and materials. Danish brand Carl Hansen & Sonâs pop up showroom was a particular favourite of ours, displaying items from designers such as Hans J Wegner, Kaare Klint and Paul Kjaerholm, which perfectly combine the ever popular Scandi trend with a 1970s feel.
Let there be light
Lighting was also a key theme this year, with pendants and hanging lights taking the lead in all sorts of shapes and colours. We loved Secto Design for its innovative craftsmanship, creating hanging lamps using intricate woodworking techniques. The Aspiro 8000 in particular caught our eye; a quirky spiral design that uses the very latest LED technology, while we also loved the more classic spherical styles. We also loved Curiousa & Curiousaâs stained glass hanging lamps for its beautiful autumnal shades that have got us thinking about the season ahead.
A Platform for new designers
Always one of CDWâs most exciting exhibitions, Platform returned this year to the House of Detention â an old Victorian underground prison â which showcased the very best and most exciting up-and-coming design talent. A combination of old techniques with new, fresh design, Platform played host to a variety of young designers. Updating a variety of old-fashioned items, such as floorboard tables and book benches, Platform showcased a variety of designers that seamlessly managed to combine older, more traditional items with a modern, contemporary finish.
In conversation at Clerkenwell
Aside from products being exhibited, CDW is also known for its programme of speakers and events throughout the festival. The first day of the exhibition saw an interesting discussion hosted by the Design Guild, âIs there still such a thing as British Design?â, with a number of high profile speakers including Barbara Chandler and Sebastian Conran, proving that despite CDWâs international appeal, it still manages to draw large audiences conscious of the future of British design. Iconic interiors bible Elle Decoration also hosted the #BeOriginal talk, with editor-in-chief Michelle Ogundehin chairing a panel exploring the importance of originality and creativity in a world of increasingly passive, Ikea-flatpack-style furniture, while another popular talk, âFashion, Design & Architecture: The Blurring Boundaries Between Creative Disciplinesâ discussed the increasing crossover between the worlds of fashion, interior design and architecture.
With CDW15 now over for another year, we eagerly look forward to Septemberâs FOCUS for our next fix of design inspiration!
