London Design Festival

The “Design Frontiers” exhibition at Somerset House explores the relationship between designers and clients, and features diverse brands from Jaguar to Swarovski. Selfridges have also made the most of the festival, inviting consumers to visit its flagship store for design-centric pop-up events. Anthropologie and Harrods have also created experiences specifically for the festival, with Harrods inviting shoppers to tour the design influences throughout the store.

Outside of brand exhibits, designers took over iconic spaces to raise awareness of issues like sustainability. By the OXO tower, ‘380:1’ by Friche studio interrogates the future of ecology and aims to raise awareness about air pollution and deforestation. The display features 380 tree saplings, representing the number of trees required to absorb the annual carbon dioxide consumption of one person.

In a similar vein, “Drop in the Ocean” by designer Brodie Neill confronts marine pollution by using recycled ocean plastics to create furniture. A waterfall in the lobby of the ME London hotel accompanied the installation. Start-up Pentatonic are also exploring the potential of waste materials at this year’s festival, launching their new line of homeware made from recycled cans, cigarette butts, and other waste products.

Tackling a different issue, Camille Walala’s inflatable Villa Walala encourages adults to play, and offers a cathartic break to city workers needing to unwind and escape office life. The structure dazzles with its bold colors, sense of nostalgia and “Tribal Pop” style. The theme of play is also explored in Shoreditch-based hotel citizenM’s “Estate Playground.” Created in partnership with designer Yinka Ilori, the space turns the hotel entrance into a public playground.

“Reflection Room” by Flynn Talbot, held in the V&A’s Prince Consort Gallery, also offers an immersive experience, using light to engage its viewers. “I conceived the idea standing in the gallery, and wanted to add my story on top of the beautiful existing architecture, but not to take it over,” Talbot stated. “With all of my work I want to create new experiences using light that build a connection between people and place.”

Proving that there is space for immersive experiences in the wellness industry, design studio Bompas & Parr and Mondrian London have created “The Spa of Unconscious Desires.” The late-night spa event explores healing rituals in new ways, pushing the “boundaries between comfort, fear and disgust.”