London already has its reputation as a cultural capital, laying claim as the leading city in the world for the most number of art galleries and museums. Yet, for over a week in September, that number is set to grow exponentially as the city is transformed into a dynamic stage of creativity, design and innovation. Yes, we’re talking about London Design Week 2024.
From September 14 through 22, world-leading designers from across the globe will converge on the UK capital to showcase their cutting-edge work through a vibrant program of events, installations and exhibitions.
Building on its legacy since its inception in 2003, the festival remains a highlight of the global design calendar, drawing enthusiasts, industry leaders, and emerging talent alike. Last year’s festival attracted over 400,000 visitors, and this year promises to surpass expectations with bold concepts, pioneering design, and immersive experiences spread across the city’s iconic landmarks and newly minted creative hubs.
With support from the Mayor of London and key partners, London Design Festival 2024 brings together a diverse mix of voices and perspectives, ensuring that this year’s event will be both inspiring and inclusive. From established designers to up-and-coming visionaries, the festival will spotlight innovation across multiple disciplines, from product design to architecture and beyond.
With so many installations and exhibitions to see, we’ve curated a selection of the standouts that should not be missed at this year’s festival. Get ready to explore the pulse of contemporary design in the heart of London.
[See also: Inside the Edward Burtynsky Exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery]
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‘Dreamscapes’ at Sketch
Mayfair’s Sketch looks like an art exhibition on any usual weekday, but as part of its annual Art & Design exhibition (which runs until November 10), the avant-garde restaurant has collaborated with London Design Festival 2024 and Mayfair Design District to bring to life a series of dynamic installations entitled Dreamscapes. Artists and designers Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Paul Cocksedge and Ida Immendorff have transformed the home of the iconic London venue, 9 Conduit Street. From Sketch’s reception to the Glade’s dining room and even Sketch’s signature ‘Pod Loos’, each has been playfully decorated to pay homage to the history and heritage of the 18th-century building, including its connection to the suffragette movement.
‘Pavillions of Wonder’ at The Strand Aldwych
Founder of the East-London-based design studio Studiomama, Nina Tolstrup has teamed up with Mattel and Visit Greater Palm Springs to bring a ‘pink’ touch to London’s The Strand. Three interactive pavilions have been inspired by the Barbie Dreamhouses of the 1960s and the modernist architecture of Palm Springs to form Pavilions of Wonder. Each pavilion is slightly surreal, with a desert-inspired infinity garden, geometric structures and swirling facades inviting visitors to step into a playful design world where life might not be plastic, but it is certainly fantastic.
‘Design to Move’ by Technogym
Leading sports equipment manufacturer Technogym has brought together global artists and designers to create five custom-designed Technogym Benches, which will be exhibited at London Design Festival 2024. The public exhibition, titled Design to Move, runs from Saturday, September 14 to Thursday, September 19, exploring Technogym’s deep relation between design and wellness with style and functionality. The five unique benches on display are the work of artists Nerio Alessandri, Kelly Hoppen, Myles Igwebuike, Gustavo Martini and Elena Salmistraro, and a selection of 15 unique Technogym Benches will be auctioned in collaboration with Sotheby’s at the end of September 2024, with proceeds being donated to Unicef.
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‘Liquid Light’ by Johnnie Walker and Marshmallow Laser Feast
In a first of its kind, for both the industry and the signature Scotch whisky itself, Johnnie Walkie is unveiling its one-of-a-kind release of its Blue Label alongside hosting an entirely immersive experience at London Design Festival 2024. Inspired by the limit-edition Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra – the world’s lightest glass whisky bottle, which was unveiled at the festival – the Scotch whisky brand has also worked with the artist collective Marshmallow Laser Feast to create Liquid Light, an immersive installation that explores the extensive research and development of the new release. Visitors will be enveloped in a mesmerizing interplay of light and shadow as a moving light passes through the glass forms, where the centerpiece features an array of glass-blown droplets suspended in mid-air, collectively symbolizing the evolution of form over time.
‘Celebration I’ at Fortnum and Mason
In a special commission for London Design Festival 2024, luxurious department store Fortnum and Mason has dedicated its Piccadilly window front to the renowned multidisciplinary artist Jaime Hayon. Working with the designer’s eponymous studio, the store’s windowfront and atrium have been transformed into an installation of works by Hayon, named Celebration I. Acting as a retrospective on the artist, the display features a curated selection of ceramics, bronze and glass works, alongside quirky characters and whimsical creatures.
‘Unbroken Threads: Creative Resistance for Palestine’ by Royal College of Art
Curated by the Royal College of Art’s Palestine Society, Unbroken Threads, held at Inhabit’s Southwick Street Hotel, dives into Palestinian culture and heritage, showcasing its resilience amidst war and displacement. Overall there are 23 works on display from current students and recent RCA graduates, bringing together various disciplines to share personal stories, Palestinian history and architectural analysis, alongside hosting talks and workshops from the participating artists.
With a range of medians on display, some of the works featured use AI and VR to bring to life maps that showcase the experience of Palestinian history in different times and spaces, while other pieces revive the histories of the cities of Nablus and Sebastia using audiovisual archives of oral stories, artifacts and 3D models.
