Clerkenwell Design Week, London

Clerkenwell Design Week – London’s premier celebration of design – returns with aplomb following its hugely successful 2010 inauguration. We can only wish that we were attending…

The three-day festival takes place from 24 to 26 May 2011 and brings together a varied and vibrant programme of events spanning debates, discussions, presentations, exhibitions, installations, street parties and workshops – all in the name of celebrating and embracing design.

Showcasing the latest product and furniture-design innovations from over 50 British and international manufacturers – Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) offers the opportunity to see many world launches of new furniture and interior accessories. For many companies it’s also the first opportunity to see products that were launched at the Milan Furniture Fair in April.

The 2010 festival proved a huge success attracting over 18,000 registered visitors who flocked to over 150 events. Seeing as Clerkenwell has long been regarded as the creative hub of the UK, this is no surprise. A stone’s throw from the city, it’s home to a plethora of new-media agencies, graphic and interactive design studios, architectural practices (more per square mile than anywhere else on the planet!) and international design brands.

This year promises to be an even greater success. The 2011 Clerkenwell-based showrooms that will be participating include Ahrend, Wilkhahn, Steelcase, Orangebox, Haworth, Kusch and co, Strata Tiles, Boss, Hands, Modus, Silverline, Bene, Triumph, B-loose, Knoll, Girsberger, Brunner, Forbo, Desso, Koleksiyon, Poltrona Frau, Interstuhl, Hettich, Vitra, Moroso, Milliken, Lammhults and Bulo. Many will be staging exclusive new product launches, talks with high profile speakers and VIP parties. Clerkenwell’s own fashion style spotters will also be roaming the streets, reporting on the latest trends.

New to this year’s event is The House of Detention venue – a subterranean Victorian prison hidden in the heart of Clerkenwell. Not usually open to the public, this unique space will house site-specific installations and innovative product displays for the duration of CDW. Exhibitors include Timorous Beasties, who will be bestowing a series of brand new lace material patterns designed for modern architectural spaces, and multi-award-winning illustrator Lizzie Mary Cullen, whose unique style has been spotted by Harvey Nicholls and Italian restaurant chain Zizzi.

More information: www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com