Clerkenwell Design Week
A unique, artistic hub, Clerkenwell is home to more creative businesses and architects per square mile than anywhere else in the world. It celebrates this inspirational community of rich diversity by hosting Clerkenwell Design Week where leading UK and international brands showcase their area of expertise through showroom events, exhibitions and installations.
Already in it’s 9th year, 2018’s rendition took place last week from the 22nd to the 24th of May. CDW has increased in popularity year-on-year with professionals and design conscious individuals alike, firmly establishing itself as the UK’s leading independent design festival. With last year boasting over 300 exhibiting brands, the design community attended in their droves with over 34,000 attendees and this year we were lucky enough to be invited by Source Developments to experience the exciting atmosphere and events in person.
Each brand cultivates a perfectly curated representation of themselves, showcasing their values, philosophy, new thinking or innovative new collections with each exhibition speaking with true idiosyncrasy. We loved all the bright and colourful rainbow hues that appeared throughout many of the installations that were utilised with varying methods, technique and results.
A few of our stand out exhibitions included Muuto, Alias Design and Stellar Works along with the gradient of multi-coloured ‘Working Girl’ lounge chairs by Dead Good. Kvadratt Textiles who are already famed for their colourful textiles created unity between the various exhibitions with the creation of their kaleidoscope coloured balustrade. Their showroom design was a collaborative process with graphic designer Peter Saville and architect David Adjaye.
The Next Generation Pavilion within the St. James’ Churchyard was particularly poignant; designed by GSCE students from around central London they responded to the topic of sustainability. A mesh of bright wires strung overhead within a red frame certainly had impact and the involvement of young people within a globally respected platform like CDW allowed dialogue to open up between industry leaders and the next gen of the creative industries which felt both special and important.
From inside to outside, the event is a playground of inspiration for the design community. Armed with exponential inspiration, we can’t wait to go back next year. A big thanks again to Source Developments for bringing us along and giving us the tour.
