The London Design Festival returns for its 24th edition, transforming the city into a hub of creativity and innovation. This year’s festival showcases the diverse talents of the design community, with a focus on multidisciplinarity and emerging talent. From the Brompton Design District to the Shoreditch Design Week the event promises a rich tapestry of exhibitions, installations, and collaborations.
The festival kicks off with a celebration of the London Design Medals honoring the driving forces behind the city’s design scene. This year, Alex Tieghi-Walker takes the reins as curator of the Brompton Design District, bringing a fresh perspective with a pop-up library dedicated to queer creativity. As the festival unfolds, our team will be on the ground, capturing the essence of the event through live updates and snapshots.
The Vibrant Energy of London Design Festival 2026
The festival spans nine days, with dozens of neighborhoods and exhibitions to explore. This year’s edition includes the debut of the Soho Design District adding to the already expansive footprint of the event. Whether you’re interested in craft, collectibles, or simply soaking in the creative atmosphere, London Design Festival offers something for everyone.
Brompton Design District: Perfectly Imperfect
The Brompton Design District continues to be a highlight of the festival, bringing together cultural institutions, leading design brands, and fresh talent. Under the curation of Alex Tieghi-Walker, the district focuses on the emotional value of furniture, homeware, and collectibles. Notable exhibitions include Rafael Prieto: On the Sunset, Which is Only One featuring a series of sunset-inspired chairs, and new releases from B&B Italia and Boffi|DePadova.
Soho Design District: A New Addition
The Soho Design District makes its debut this year, translating the neighborhood’s electrifying atmosphere into a tangible legacy across disciplines. The district will come alive through events, installations, talks, and collaborations exploring the interconnectedness of design, commerce, and community. One of the standout installations is Labyrinth Dreams a collaboration between Bethan Laura Wood and Bocci exploring color, light, memory, and association.
South Asian Design Takes Center Stage
South Asian design is making a significant impact at this year’s festival, with the debut of Raw Collaborative’s Design Intelligentsia showcase at Shoreditch Town Hall. The exhibition brings together 25 distinctive studios, highlighting the shift from craft-intensive to design-intensive practices. The showcase resists reducing South Asian design to familiar tropes, focusing instead on the innovative use of traditional crafts and digital tools.
Notable South Asian Designers
Among the standout designers at the showcase are Baarique led by Malika Budhiraj, known for their handcrafted and hand-painted objects in brass and bronze. Ikai Asai founded by Ananya Birla, places craft communities at the heart of the creative process. Other notable participants include KhambattaArrti MansinghkaWicker Story and Latika Nehra each bringing a unique perspective to South Asian design.
Highlights from the Festival
The festival is filled with exciting launches and exhibitions. Dedar kicks off the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour FOCUS/26 with their latest collections, including a full-length installation of Vesi Liberi. Rubelli introduces Kieffer’s new collection ‘4’ in collaboration with Formafantasma, focusing on the brand’s identity through a series of upholstery fabrics.
Isabel + Helen celebrate ten years of making things move with their exhibition Motion Sickness at The Conran Shop. The exhibition looks back at the duo’s experiments with materials and mechanics, driven by a sense of play and movement. Tom Dixon’s Coal Office welcomes visitors with new launches, including a cast iron collection of accessories and a collaboration with Vispring.
