Clerkenwell Design Week 2015 (19-21 May) is set to build on the success of its previous five editions with an impressive mix of cutting-edge installations, exclusive product launches and insights into contemporary design and architecture. Since its inception in 2010, the festival has grown to become one of the most respected events on the global design calendar, with total visitor numbers topping 32,000 in 2014.
Celebrating its sixth year in 2015, the annual festival will showcase the latest innovations by designers and manufacturers from the UK and around the world. Set against the historic backdrop of Clerkenwell, the three-day festival will be centred upon leading design showrooms in the neighbourhood, as well as four exhibitions - Design Factory, Platform, Detail and Additions.
Over 60 showrooms will be part of Clerkenwell Design Week 2015, and together they once again play an integral part in proceedings. New participants including heritage brand Carl Hansen & Søn, Italian furniture company Moroso and modernist storage specialist USM will be joined by long-term global supporters including Vitra, Arper, Poltrona Frau, Knoll, Domus, Humanscale, Brunner and Kusch+Co.
Clerkenwell Design Week’s well-established exhibitions provide a real breadth of product innovation, from leading international brands to emerging design studios. The largest of these design-led destinations is the Design Factory at the Farmiloe Building, featuring four floors of established contemporary interiors brands, both from the UK and overseas. The venue’s courtyard will also be home to the Leica Camera sponsored café.
Platform at the House of Detention has established itself as the place to spot upand- coming design talent during Clerkenwell Design Week. These include Louise Tucker, a Chelsea College of Art graduate whose fascination with weaving wood veneer led her to launching Pren, a sculptural lighting collection that takes its name from the Welsh for wood.
The majestic Priory Church at the Order of St John is home to Detail, the place to head to for high-end decorative interior products. The church’s garden will be furnished with Cane-line’s latest outdoor furniture, complemented by a Champagne Jaquart bar.
After last year’s debut, Additions - which is given over to small design-led pieces and accessories at the Crypt on the Green at St. James Church – will return for 2015. New exhibitors include France-based HJEM, which will launch a range of designconscious homewares and papergoods; British surface designer and illustrator Kelly Hatt, who will showcase a collection of aluminium etched illustrations, inspired by scuffs, scratches and graffiti found on public transport; ceramicist Taz Pollard, who will debut her new tableware range with a playful design; and Wael Seaiby, who has recently been named by Design Council as one of its 70 ‘Ones to Watch’.
Open studio sessions offered by selected creative practices within Clerkenwell remain a popular event amongst visitors to the festival. Taking place at various studios around the area, Fringe showcases the work of a variety of disciplines from architecture and practices to branding and advertising agencies and related creative industries. They all produce event-specific pieces of communication, which enhance the Clerkenwell Design Week programme.
Clerkenwell and its creative community have earned a reputation for remaining at the centre of debate, pioneering activities and forward-thinking. Clerkenwell Design Week 2015 boasts a selective range of high-profile talks staged on the third floor of Design Factory at the Farmiloe Building. With five talks scheduled for each of the three festival days, this focused series delivers world-class content right at the heart of Clerkenwell. Full line-up to be announced.
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