Design fairs and festivals are the best places for ideas, inspiration, and intel on the latest developments and trends in the world of decorating and interiors – apart from platforms like Home Journal, of course.
With our September issue fresh off the press, we’re excited for you to get your hands on a copy today; that being said, we’re also keen on pointing you towards some of the design fairs on our radar this month.
Here, a look at four design events across the world to keep an eye out for.
PARIS DESIGN WEEK, 5-14 September
A fringe event during the greater beloved Maison & Objet Paris, Paris Design Week is a gathering of professionals and the general public over a showcase of the best of design in the city. Now on its ninth year, the show will be back with its staple of events: Le Off, a launching pad for young and emerging designers from around the world; Talks, a series of panel discussions with leading design professionals; and a collection of themed walks across four districts in the city, with stops at 200 key venues including showrooms, galleries, studios, as well as hotels and restaurants. The themes include fashion and art, as well as a focus on the DIY movement and food design. There’s also an interesting exhibition taking place at the Hôtel de Soubise, home to the national archives, presented by UBLIK collective. Titled ‘I AM A STOOL’, the exhibition features a five-metre tall stool, encouraging upward-gazing reflection over an object typically seated on.
DESIGN CHINA BEIJING, 12-16 September
Following its successful inaugural edition last year, Design China Beijing returns this September for Beijing Design Week, bringing together professionals in the fields of design, architecture, interiors, real estate and hospitality. Taking place at the National Agricultural Exhibition Centre, this year’s event will focus on central themes of sustainability and craft – particularly from the lens of China’s design and manufacturing industries, with a look at social and environmental practices. Chinese designers are also taking centre stage – more than double the previous year, including Thrudesign, Sozen, EY Products, Ruyi – while international designers, including Chris van Duijn, architect and partner at OMA, German designer Sebastian Herkner, and Chinese industrial designer Chen Minare giving talks on the importance of sustainable design in building new social systems and models. Professionals in particular will get to connect with international and local brands in the industry, as well as renowned designers.
LONDON DESIGN FESTIVAL, 14-22 September
All over London, design-centric festivities are taking place for this year’s London Design Festival, a citywide showcase and celebration of creativity and design (in a bid to promote London as a ‘design capital of the world'). Various districts across the city, from King’s Cross to Mayfair Design Districts to Shoreditch Design Triangle, each feature their own set of events, all within walking distance of one another. Since 2003, the festival has presented the best of European design; this year, the events will include product and collection launches by the likes of The Invisible Collection, in partnership with London-based design studio Collett-Zarzycki; De Padova, in its new Chelsea showroom; Sé, with a collection designed by Ini Archibong; and design studio TedWood, among many, many others. Keep your eyes peeled for Special Projects such as British designer Paul Cocksedge’s ‘Please Be Seated’ installation at Finsbury Avenue Square, featuring a massive, curved installation made of wood that can be seated on and walked under; a bamboo and carbon fibre sculpture by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, on display at the V&A Museum; and fun and colourful geometrical outdoor furniture designed by Camille Walala, for the Walala Lounge in London’s West End. There’s plenty to enjoy here during the festival, so for travellers, consider making a full trip of the week-long festivities.
IDS VANCOUVER, 26-29 September
Over in the Pacific Northwest, IDS Vancouver – short for Interior Design Show – is now on its 15th edition, gathering design professionals, artists, makers, and design-centric brands for a showcase of new works and ideas. Design personalities are also presenting, and this year will include product and food designer Amanda Huynh, Californian architects Catherine Johnson and Rebecca Rudolph of Design, Bitches; and London-based multidisciplinary designer Emily Forgot, among others. Food is a big focus in this year’s show, with other speakers including chef Bruno Feldeisen, judge on the ‘Great Canadian Baking Show’, and The Juice Truck co-founder Zach Berman, presenting a panel discussion together with Huynh, focusing on the important role of design in the future of food. There’s also ‘Edible Futures: Food for Tomorrow’, a travelling exhibition featuring works by artists around the world inviting audiences to reflect on the future of food. Should you drop by, you might also want to consider getting a copy of Currents, a book exploring design in the Pacific Northwest and which features 40 makers and designers, curated by IDS Vancouver.
Header image courtesy of Paris Design Week. Featured images courtesy of Paris Design Week, London Design Fair, Design China Beijing, and IDS Vancouver
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