Islington Design District: An Inspiring Showcase of ‘Design Travels’ at London Design Festival
Islington Design District was delighted to announce its fourth participation in the London Design Festival 2023, where it brought together a diverse range of local talent and international brands under the theme of ‘design travels.’
This year’s theme represented the literal journey of discovery through one of London’s most creative enclaves – a chance to celebrate the creative community that can be found there and explore independent design shops, studios and designers from across the creative industries and the world. It also explored metaphorical travels, such as those we go on as part of the creative process or the universal experience of journeying through life.
Islington Design District, curated by local brand consultancy Campbell Hay, has consistently expanded its program of events and exhibitions, showcasing emerging and established designers side by side in spaces and showrooms throughout Islington.
2023’s collaborators: Islington Design District was proud to collaborate with renowned partners who share a passion for innovative and eco-conscious design…
Carl Hansen & Son // twentytwentyone // Travel Things Museum
Grestec Tiles // Motarasu // The Bakery Art Gallery
Wonders of Wood at Carl Hansen & Son: Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the iconic CH07 Shell Chair, Carl Hansen & Son offered visitors an exclusive edition crafted from rosewood and oak. The showroom hosted a series of engaging events created in collaboration with fellow craftspeople, including an exhibition called 'Wonders of Wood' curated by Nicholas Shurey and woodworking workshops led by master woodsman, Michael Murphy. A tablescape inspired by the Rungstedlund country house in Denmark was also on display.
Fiskars | Gifu | Hiroshima at twentytwentyone: An exhibition curated by twentytwentyone brought together the craft and design of Maruni, Nikari, Ozeki & Co., and Woodnotes, offering a thoughtful expression of the shared sensibilities between Finland and Japan. Despite their geographical separation, the two countries share a love of nature and its influence on design, and a great respect for quality in materials and craftsmanship.
ReMapping New Worlds with Everyday Objects By Travel Things Museum: This London-based arts and culture organization presented a series of mesmerising maps crafted from ordinary objects as part of their purpose to educate and inspire people – not only about different places, peoples, and cultures, but also about their interconnections – through the fascinating items encountered during their travels.
Grestec Tiles: Open Studio at Grestec Tiles invited architects, designers and specifiers to come together and explore their studio, where they showcased five new tile collections inspired by the latest trends in interior design, encompassing cement-like textures, striking 3D patterns, artisanal craftsmanship, and timeless marble tones. Grestec specializes in supplying premium floor and wall tiles, offering collaborative guidance throughout every project phase.
MOTARASU: MOTARASU is a Danish brand on a mission to bring about change through an inclusive partnership, joining Danish and Japanese designers together under one brand for the first time (Motarasu = Japanese for ‘to change’) — honouring the beauty of simple shapes and quality materials. Emphasising their unique lighting collection, their showcase included pendants handmade with bamboo sticks and lamps made with washi paper, designed to be visually appealing, bring joy and hold us present in the moment.
MOTARASU
The Bakery Art Gallery: "An Exploration of the Aesthetic at Home" was a group exhibition inspired by William Morris's words, "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful". This group show, by multi-disciplined London-based artists, explored philosophies around the importance of art and design in the home, asking visitors to consider what they surround themselves with, and to question whether it supports or hinders their wellbeing and sense of connection.
The Bakery Art Gallery
Islington Design District extended a warm invitation to design enthusiasts, industry professionals and the public alike to join them in embracing design travels during the London Design Festival 2023.
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