Moday saw the return of Spring's much anticipated London Design Week, encompassing a theme refreshing for both brands and visitors; New Beginnings. Held in the distinguished Chelsea Harbour Design Centre, the fusion of the new launches and real-life design brought about an energy of creativity and excitment for what was to come. Reflecting a desire for shared experiences once again, 2022's Design Week held far more importance than those that came before, as world-class talent gathered together to share their experience with a fresh, distinctive approach to acheiving creative excellence.
Embracing the oppurtunity to connect, converse and create, our showroom became home for the morning to the sought - after Access All Areas event: The Art of Pattern Making & Casting - Sculpting Workshop. This hands-on experience was led by our very own talented pattern Maker, Adam Pattison, who joined us for the day from our South Coast Foundry to run the workshop in which participants learned the basic techniques required to sculpt a simple coaster or paperweight.
A collection of 10 design studios attented, each one letting their true creative flair shine through with a diverse range of final creations. No two pieces were the same, with beautifully intricate leaves layered in a mandala-style pattern detailing the surface of one coaster, whilst another design boasted tiered variations of twisted clay, adding depth and grandeur in a spiralling effect for what would turn out to be a tealight holder.
In the second event of the day hosted in our showroom, The British Institute of Interior Design (The BIID) brought together an elite panel of interior designers to explore their journey to business success, and how elements of this are transferable to those just starting out in the industry. They unlocked the advice they live by to continue on the trajectory of their success, opening their rule books to reveal how setting realistic milestones is a huge factor in achieving seemingly insurmountable goals. Amongst this discussion, led by Elspeth Pridham of The Insider, the guest speakers touched on ways of working to attract new business, build brand awareness within your chosen niche, as well as if and when to take that decision to expand.
Alongside the events that took place in our showroom, our sister brand, George Spencer Designs, hosted an In Conversation with legendary fashion and textile designer Dame Zandra Rhodes, as she discussed her new collaboration with silk-weaving house, and fellow Edward Alexander brand, Gainsborough. The Britannia Collection is woven using traditional weaving practices and features two exbuerant designs, 'O-Gee Whizz' and 'Fabulous Frills', both incorporating Zandra's signature style of free-flowing patterns and prints, as well as her use of bold, captivating colours.
As London Design Week comes to a close for another year, we are inspired by the wealth of experience and creativity displayed over the course of this week. Having the oppurtunity to hear from some of the world's most esteemed designers, makers and luxury brands to learn exclusive insights into the future of interior design, proved to be a welcome reminder of how the design community continues to unite in a positive way. From each carefully curated corner of the Design Centre, it is clear, to see tat the outlook for 2022 is 'elegant, pretty, and upbeat', all representing the tone of a fresh approach at the core of the entire event.