Design Districts

The diversity and character of London’s different neighbourhoods has fascinated visitors, from the gentility of Brompton to the raw energy of Brick Lane. So it’s no surprise that designers and design companies take up residence in different Design Districts, and nowhere can this be seen more clearly than during the London Design Festival, when designers, showrooms, design organisations and retailers across London throw open their doors, embracing the Festival’s aim of showcasing London as the world’s most creative capital.

Now in its fourth year, Brompton Design District is well established as a leading area during the London Design Festival. With close links to the V&A and the Royal College of Art, Brompton is not only home to leading global design brands, but also hosts a pop-up programme in spaces including a speakeasy and disused garage. This year Brompton has a strong international dimension, showcasing new design and makers from Mexico City to Vienna. Showroom exhibitions include a retrospective of renowned 2 Swedish architects Claesson Kovisto Rune at Skandium, Wood & Woad at Few & Far, focusing on craftsmanship and process, alongside Mint Explores at Mint - a journey into the unconventional, setting out to tease and surprise. This year temporary events include an old apartment furnished for ‘Vera’ - a fictional character known only from a photo album - to a new design exhibition looking at how cities inspire designers.

Nearby, Pimlico Road Design District, a new addition for the London Design Festival will showcase a cocktail of international, interiors and design led installations. Orange Square plays host to the Festival, and in this inaugural year for the District, Tony Chambers, Editor in Chief of Wallpaper* magazine, curates a selection of pieces from local galleries.

The Covent Garden Design District, will host events at the Hospital Club, Molteni&C’s Arik Levy exhibition and the UK launch of the dramatic FLOS light installation Wall Rupture at Atrium. A highlight of Covent Garden will be a specially commissioned installation - a greenhouse made with LEGO on the Piazza designed by Sebastian Bergne.

Following its debut in 2010 the Fitzrovia Now programme will expand with a host of showrooms working together, led by the European Design Centre. Look out for Flux, the new ceramics company set up by MA students from Staffordshire University at EDC, the new permanent gallery by Libby Sellers launching with Eindhoven based Formafantasma and also the opening of the Danish furniture store The Republic of Fritz Hansen.

Now the heart of the UK’s commerical design, the Clerkenwell Design District will again come to life in a multitude of showrooms and studios. At the FLOS/Moroso showroom the internationally renowned pop-up art exhibition Galleria Illy takes up a month long residency with a programme embracing design, art, music and food, while stellar names of furniture design, such as Bernhardt Design, Cappellini, Poltrana Frau and Modus will be celebrating creativity in design with talks, installations and one off events. Join the Right Royal Gin and Tea Party at The SCIN Gallery, under the watchful eye of the Queen – a new-technology fabric, 8,000 pixels, 3m square installation.

Moving east, the Shoreditch Design Triangle again offers an original and innovative showcase of contemporary design. Co-ordinated by SCP, this Design District is known for its smaller, design-focused galleries such as Gallery Fumi, Rocket and Kemistry. It also, includes Lee Broom’s debut handcrafted upholstery collection, Salon, along with design companies including Barber Osgerby and Jasper Morrison.