- Tat London
- 2 days ago
- 10 min read
What To See At Design Week, September 2025
Design Week is here again! A week where the capital is awash with creative delights. No, we have yet to match the strength of Milan—God, I dream of that day coming—but we are still blessed with impressive minds and thoughtful hands sharing their work and ideas in this marvellous land. Perhaps you'd like to hear from the great designer Rachel Chudley about her distinctive approach to design, or have your eyes delighted by Soft Worlds, Sharp Edges, an exhibition curated by Alex Tieghi-Walker showcasing the work of 30 international artists and designers either way t’s a week to spark ideas and revel in the creativity of our fellow humans.
13th & 14th September, 10 am - 5 pm
Shoreditch Design Triangle, Museum of the Home, London, E2 8EA
At the Museum of the Home’s annual exhibition and fair, visitors can meet world-class ceramicists and explore their work. Founded by Karen Bunting, the event takes place in East London and celebrates the artistry and craftsmanship of ceramicists from the capital and beyond. Attendees can enjoy live demonstrations, discover a diverse range of styles and techniques, and browse unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. The fair offers both inspiration and the chance to purchase distinctive ceramics directly from the makers.
13th - 21st September (10 am - 5 pm/ Sundays - 11 am - 7 pm)
Tom Dixon Global Flagship Shop, London, N1C4DH
Tom Dixon will unveil his newly refreshed King’s Cross flagship shop alongside the launch of the AW25 collection during the London Design Festival. The event invites visitors to explore the flagship shop at Coal Drops Yard and experience the full AW25 range for the first time in London. Highlights include WHIRL’s optical illusions, the warm glow of SOFT pendants, the frosted elegance of PRESS, and MELT’s tenth-anniversary finishes, alongside new textiles and evolving SPIN pieces. Exclusive previews of select SS26 items will also be on display, with all AW25 designs available to purchase in-store and online.
13th - 21st September
Bankside Design District, wagumi, London, SE1 9PH
Kagoshima: Stories in Craft from South Japan returns to the London Design Festival at wagumi, Oxo Tower Wharf. Featuring 22 makers, the exhibition showcases the region’s rich craft traditions in ceramics, glass, paper, textiles and tea. This year spotlights woodworker Shintaro Oku (KOPPA), who will lead live demonstrations and chopstick-making workshops. Alongside Oku, makers such as MIRIYU Kōbō, Kaori Sasaki, Shōbu Gakuen, Tsuruta Washi and Yamaguchi-en highlight the creativity of Japan’s southernmost region.
13th - 21st September
The Conran Shop, London SW1W 8ER
The Conran Shop will debut Tamilla, a new furniture collection by designer Francis Sultana, at London Design Festival 2025. Inspired by the vision of founder Terence Conran, the range includes an armchair, daybed and two-seater sofa. Known for his work across residential, hospitality and commercial projects, Sultana brings his distinctive approach to this exclusive collection.
13th – 21st September, 11 am – 7 pm Every day (11 am – 9 pm Tuesday 16th)
Béton Brut, Unit 2, 30 Felstead St, London E9 5LG
This London Design Festival, Béton Brut presents Unbound, the first major retrospective of Italian iron-artist Salvino Marsura (1938–2020). Spanning six decades, the show explores the tension between organic forms and human restraint. Unseen works from his Treviso forge sit within Béton Brut’s pared-back interior, alongside vintage pieces by Jean Michel Frank. The display reveals Marsura’s work as both expressive and functional. Unbound also marks 10 years of Béton Brut in Hackney Wick.
15th - 19th September
7 Mount Street, London, W1K 3EH
New York-based interdisciplinary design studio Apparatus opens its showroom for London Design Festival 2025, presenting a curated selection of lighting, furniture and objects at Apparatus Open Gallery.
15th - 19th September (10 am - 6 pm)
Retrouvius, London, NW10 5NS
Retrouvius presents The Remembrance Chair, a limited-edition collaboration with Korean artist Subin Seol, crafted from salvaged teak handrails from Fawley Power Station. This partnership celebrates skilled craftsmanship and intelligent design, reflecting Retrouvius’s mission to give abandoned materials a second life. The Remembrance Chair will be on display and available to purchase at the Retrouvius showroom throughout the festival.
15th - 20th September (Times Vary)
Shoreditch Design Triangle, Christopher Farr Studio, London, E1 6HF
Christopher Farr’s East London studio presents new CF Editions launches, including limited-edition rugs by Josef Albers, Gunta Stölzl, Kate Blee, and the Stars collection. Handmade in collaboration with artists or their estates, the rugs translate original artworks into functional, everyday pieces and are available through selected retailers and online.
15th September, 11 am – 12 pm
Loom Furniture, Third Floor, North Dome, Design Centre
Take part in an interactive workshop and discover the distinctive antiquing technique behind Loom’s signature brass accents. Craft and antique your own organic brass coaster—yours to keep as a one-of-a-kind memento.
15th September, 3 – 4 pm
TALK, Design Centre
Hosted by Harper’s Bazaar, Luke Edward-Hall, Richard McCready-Hughes (Belmond), Ben Johnson (Albion Nord), and Nicolò Favaretto Rubelli (Rubelli) join moderator Frances Hedges to discuss the design alchemy behind the jewel box interiors of the Britannic Explorer, Belmond’s newest luxury train. The panel will reveal how heritage, craft, and landscape have been woven together to create an atmosphere of indulgence and charm.
15th - 19th September (10 am - 4 pm)
Bankside Design District, David Nott Foundation Headquarters, London, SE1 7LD
The David Nott Foundation will present Designed for Humanity, a public showcase exploring how design supports its mission to deliver safe surgical care in conflict zones. Through photography, storytelling and surgical training innovations, the exhibition highlights the human impact of crisis response. Open throughout festival week, it invites visitors to discover the role of design in education and humanitarian action.
16th – 19th September (10 am – 6 pm)
Lyndsey Ingram Gallery, 20 Bourdon St, London, W1K 3PJ
Feldspar, the Devon studio famed for its "objects for life," launches its first furniture collection by co-founder Jeremy Brown. Crafted from locally sourced, storm-felled hardwoods, the pieces unite sustainability with timeless design. Brown returns to woodworking after a decade in ceramics, bringing meticulous detail and artistry. The collection reflects Feldspar’s signature elegance, created to endure for generations.
16th - 21st September (10 am - 6 pm / Tuesday 10 am - 9 pm)
Shoreditch Design Triangle, London, E2 7EE
Slancha, in collaboration with Formd, presents The Car Boot Sale, a contemporary reimagining of the classic car boot sale. Sixteen emerging UK designers showcase one-of-a-kind works crafted from reused and repurposed materials, exploring memory, material afterlives, and the hidden value of objects. The exhibition captures the spirit of community, chance, and quiet chaos, presenting pieces that are sculptural, functional, reflective, and playful. Participating designers include Studio EAST×EAST, George Richardson Studio, Jake Robertson, Marc Sweeney, and others.
16th September, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
TALK, Design Centre
Hosted by ELLE Decoration, Guest speakers Anna Burles (Run For The Hills) and Louisa Grey (House of Grey) join moderator Ben Spriggs, Editor-in-Chief of ELLE Decoration, to explore how businesses can stand out in an increasingly competitive marketplace. The panel will share creative strategies for building a brand, shaping perception, engaging the media, and attracting dream clients.
16th September, 12 – 12.45 pm
GP & J Baker, Ground Floor, Design East
Ann Grafton, in conversation with Homes & Gardens’ Jo Bailey, will guide guests through the rich archive of GP & J Baker. The talk will trace the evolution of iconic prints, rediscovered gems, and historic treasures that have shaped more than a century of exquisite wallpapers and textiles, still cherished by interior designers today.
16th September, 2 - 3 pm
Schumacher, Ground Floor, South Dome, Design Centre
At Focus/25 on Design, interior designer Lucy Cunningham joins Country Life’s Interiors Editor, Giles Kime, to unveil a bespoke swag entrance designed exclusively for the Schumacher showroom. Their conversation will trace the history of the swag, showing how these opulent curtains transcend mere decoration to embody elegance, craftsmanship, grandeur, and warmth. The event will also feature insider tips, flashes of decorative wit, and a first look at Schumacher’s joyful fabrics and trimmings.
16rh September, 3 – 4 pm
TALK, Design Centre
Hosted by House & Garden, Rachel Chudley, House & Garden’s Designer of the Year, joins Editor Talib Choudhry to discuss her distinctive approach to interiors. Combining an artist’s eye with the practicalities of running an internationally commissioned studio, she embraces experimentation, bold colour, and playful pattern to create a sophisticated yet spirited style. She will share her influences, inspirations, and what excites her most in design today.
17th September, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
TALK, Design Centre
Hosted by The World of Interiors, Maria Speake, co-founder of Retrouvius, joins editor Emily Tobin to discuss her acclaimed approach to interior design. Celebrated for her integrity, inventive use of reclaimed materials, and keen eye for craftsmanship, Speake shares insights on sustainability, the power of design narratives, and the joy of transforming old objects into something new. The event concludes with a book signing of Retrouvius: Contemporary Salvage: Designing Homes from a Philosophy of Re-Use (Rizzoli).
17th September, 2 - 3 pm
Tissus d'Hélène, Fourth Floor, Design Centre East
Award-winning interior designer Nicola Harding discusses her new book, Homing Instinct (Rizzoli), with House & Garden Features Director Elizabeth Metcalfe. The conversation explores the alchemy that gives interiors the comforting feeling of home, followed by a book signing.
17th September, 3 - 4 pm
TALK, Design Centre
Hosted by Country Life, Guest speakers Guy Goodfellow and creative director Steven Rodel (Guy Goodfellow), Mary Graham and Nicole Salvesen (Salvesen Graham), and Sean Symington join moderator Giles Kime, Interiors Editor of Country Life. The panel explores how a new generation of British designers blends heritage and tradition with wit, modernity, and personality. They will share insights on achieving elegance, comfort, and a touch of eccentricity, as well as the art of mixing print and colour to create interiors that feel timeless yet individual. The event concludes with a book signing of A New English Style: Timeless Interiors (Hardie Grant Books) by Mary Graham and Nicole Salvesen.
17th September, 6 – 7.30 pm
TALK, Design Centre
Guest speakers: Nathan Turner (designer and Special Projects Editor, Architectural Digest), Chloe Willis (Associate Director, Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler), and Marie Karlsson (Creative & Managing Director, Cole & Son). Moderator: Fiona McCarthy (journalist, international contributing editor, and author)
This creative panel explores the art of pattern in interiors. Learn how to design bold, dramatic spaces, cosy and comforting corners, or sophisticated rooms that lift the spirit. Gain insights into how pattern adds visual interest, captivates the eyes, and can convey cultural or historical narratives.
Soft Worlds, Sharp Edges, 17th - 19th September, Studio 4.2.A, The Lavery, 4 Cromwell Pl, SW72JE
Soft Worlds, Sharp Edges unfolds as an immersive installation that recasts the gallery as a bedroom stage, where layers of domesticity and female authorship collide. Drawing on the cinematic language of the femme fatale, the home shifts from passive backdrop to active performer. Part of A Softer World, curated by Alex Tieghi-Walker for Brompton Design District at The Lavery, the event presents a series of video projections by Elena Gallen alongside works from over thirty international designers and artists.
18th - 19th September, (10 am - 7/5pm)
House of Toogood, London, NW1 0TA
Toogood presents ROSE, Faye Toogood’s collaboration with Japanese ceramics house Noritake. Inspired by the colours of an English garden, Toogood hand-painted archival Noritake forms during a residency in Japan, creating 17 unique pieces and 100 limited-edition platters. Exhibited within Toogood’s studio, the collection is shown alongside sketchbooks, artworks and new season clothing and furniture.
19th - 21st September (10 am - 9:30/6pm)
Object 74, London, EC2A 4EA
Object 74, a collective of Royal College of Art graduates, presents a three-day Shoreditch exhibition for the London Design Festival. Showcasing furniture and art objects, the group explores themes from philosophy to sustainability while rethinking the gallery format. Works are displayed collectively, with research and experiments shown alongside, and visitors invited to share reflections.
20th September (10:30 am - 4 pm)
William Morris Design Line, Furnishing Futures, London, E10 7QE
Furnishing Futures invites visitors to its open house to see how design can heal and transform lives. The charity creates trauma-informed homes for domestic abuse survivors using furniture rescued from landfill, supporting wellbeing and recovery. Guests can tour the warehouse and studio, attend talks on furniture poverty, and meet the team behind these beautiful, life-changing spaces. The event also offers a first look at The Atrium, their new events and retail space, showcasing high-quality furnishings that support the charity’s mission.
20th - 21st September (10 am - 5 pm)
Brompton Design District, the Design Museum, London, W8 6AG
An exhibition celebrating the legendary Blitz club, the Covent Garden nightspot that defined 1980s London style and reshaped global popular culture. Behind its doors, a new wave of musicians, designers and artists — from Spandau Ballet and Boy George to Stephen Jones and Princess Julia — found their stage. Forty years on, visitors can relive the club’s energy through over 250 items, including fashion, music, art, film and photography, capturing the spirit of a scene that launched stars and transformed culture.
Price: From £14.38
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