London Design Festival 15-30 September 2006

I was perusing the Official Guide to the London Design Festival 2006 last night and was astounded by the list of venues and events, which are all over town, all over the design-spectrum, and mostly free and open to the general public. Among the truly many highlights, are the following events:

New Designers Selection
Thursday 21: 10.00-21.00 Friday 22: 10.00-22.00 (18.00-20.00 invite only) Saturday 23: 10.00-18.00 Sunday 24: 10.00-16.00
Brick Lane 95 Brick Lane London E1 6QL
New Designers SELECTION is an event that showcases an outstanding group of 50 young designers to have emerged from the New Designers exhibition in July 2006 at the Business Design Centre. New Designers SELECTION is an exclusive opportunity for you to see inspiring design from the freshest thinkers of today including furniture, lighting, ceramics, glass, product and more.

Saddle with Attitude
Friday 18.00-21.00 Saturday 10.30-17.30
21 Clerkenwell Green London
One Hand Clapping design & communications celebrate Vespa's 60th Anniversary by creating a customised vintage scooter show room installation. Prints and designer upholstery capture the essential essence of modern chic, eternal romanticism, classic 1960's Italian style and the ever increasing pragmatism of economic and eco-efficient scooter transport in today's society.

United nations of Scandinavian Design
Monday to Saturday 10.00-18.60 Sundays 11.00-17.00
86 Marylebone High Street London W1U 4QS
Skandium presents a selection of classic modern pieces mixed with new, contemporary items such as furniture, lighting, rugs, fabrics, wallpaper, accessories to show the vibrant, timeless mix of Scandinavian Design.


Vitra and Eames: An Exhibition
Monday to Thursday 9.00-17.30 Friday 9.00–17.00
30 Clerkenwell Road London EC1M 5PG
To mark the opening of Vitra and Eames: an exhibition and the 50th Anniversary of the Eames Lounge Chair, Vitra is hosting an informal lecture presented by Eames Demetrios, director of the Eames Office, film producer and grandson of the acclaimed design duo Charles and Ray Eames. Eames Demetrios travels the world delivering lectures on the seminal designs of the Eameses from a very personal perspective. His intimate knowledge of the personalities behind the designs brings a new dimension to our understanding.
Ticket information: Free but booking is essential and numbers are limited. Send reservations to rsvp-uk@vitra.com

Click here to visit the LDF website.