London Festival: Clerkenwell Design Week 2026 to mark 15th anniversary with major new installations and expanded programme - 19 – 21 May 2026

Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) will return to London’s EC1 district from 19 to 21 May 2026, celebrating its 15th anniversary with an expanded line-up of international exhibitors, new venues and a flagship series of large-scale installations.

Clerkenwell is a vibrant district located in the borough of Islington in London. It holds a rich history and is significant to the creative industries with its concentration of design showrooms, studios, and galleries. 

Organisers have announced the launch of Design Interventions, a curated programme of immersive structures created by both emerging and established designers and architects. Selected from an open call, the installations will be placed in Clerkenwell’s streets, parks and public spaces, encouraging interaction and dialogue around materials, architecture and the built environment.

Fountain of Technicolour Beads by One Bite Design

Among the highlights is Fountain of Technicolour Beads by Hong Kong-based studio One Bite Design. The terrazzo installation explores colour vision deficiency through an interactive spatial experience. Nearby, The Crinkle-Crankle Bench by StudioFolk will be installed beside St James’s Church, offering sculptural seating crafted from natural stone.

The festival will also showcase an expanded international presence, with design collections from six European countries — Spain, Italy, Norway, Germany, Austria and the UK — making the 2026 edition the most globally diverse in the event’s history.

A further key feature is the enlarged CDW Awards, presented in partnership with Design Milk. The awards will recognise not only new products and innovations but also individuals and teams driving change within the design sector. The ceremony will take place at Haberdashers’ Hall, a new venue for 2026, which will host The Luxury Edit, a showcase of high-end design brands and a talks programme titled Design Meets.

The Pulse of Becoming will animate the space outside The Luxury Edit.

Additional installations include The Pulse of Becoming, a living outdoor work created by recent graduates based in Portsmouth, UK. Incorporating chia seeds embedded within crescent forms, the piece will evolve over the course of the festival to reflect themes of growth, decay and renewal.

Historic venues will once again play a central role. The Museum of the Order of St John will host a contemporary Spanish design exhibition, while St Bartholomew the Great will become the “Church of Design”, featuring a talks programme curated by Katie Richardson and sponsored by Dulux. The church will also house a suspended installation, CONFLUENCE, inspired by origami.

Elsewhere, the House of Detention will present a lighting exhibition, with visitors welcomed by Loom Light, a 3D-printed sculpture influenced by Op Art.

Resonance by
Fung+Bedford 

The 2026 programme introduces several new venues, including Material Source Studio and Workplace on the Square, alongside returning locations such as Old Sessions House, The Charterhouse and The Goldsmiths’ Centre. Exhibitions will span furniture, lighting, textiles, surfaces and product design, with confirmed participants including leading international brands and studios.

A new digital app will replace printed guides, enabling visitors to plan personalised itineraries and navigate the festival more efficiently. Attendees will also have access to guided tours, workshops and offers from local hospitality partners.

Organisers expect tens of thousands of visitors from the UK and abroad to attend the three-day event.

One of the many Design Interventions selected for this year will be on Clerkenwell Green. 

The Museum of the Order of St John above St John’s Gate (originally built in 1504) - one of the great hidden historical treasures of London - is another new venue for the festival. The atmospheric space, steeped in history, will be the temporary home to INTERIORS FROM SPAIN for contemporary Spanish design produced by London-based design journal Disegno.

Material Source Studio, which showcases products and materials for architects, interior designers and

property professionals, and Workplace on the Square outside The Zetter hotel, a platform for design

brands catering to offices, are two new additions to CDW’s wide range of venues for 2026. Office design brands will also be exhibiting at Workplace at Goldsmiths’ at The Goldsmiths’ Centre which returns as a festival venue this year.

Clerkenwell Design Week 2026 takes place across EC1, London, from 19 – 21 May. For more information, please visit clerkenwelldesignweek.com – registration is now open.

St Bartholomew the Great, one of London's most ancient and atmospheric churches once again becomes the Church of Design, this year’s venue for the coveted Conversations at Clerkenwell programme curated by PR and Brand Consultant Katie Richardson, which will include discussions with leading and emerging designers on topical subjects.  Design studio Fung+Bedford will present Resonance, a luminous, large-scale installation suspended within the nave of St Bartholomew the Great.

Dulux, sponsor for Conversations at Clerkenwell, is launching a student-focused competition to design the backdrop of the talks stage using a palette of on-trend colours.

Roche Bobois, DEDON and MAGIS Spa are among the many leading international brands exhibiting at

the Church of Design, and CONFLUENCE, a monumental origami-inspired installation by Fung+Bedford, will be suspended from the ceiling of the 900-year-old Grade I listed medieval church.

The House of Detention returns as the host of Light, showcasing a selection of exciting local and global lighting brands. Visitors will be greeted at the entrance with Loom Light, a 3D-printed light sculpture drawing on the optical language of Op Art, designed by MIMStudios, AI Build and SEAM Design. 

“We’re thrilled to be back in Clerkenwell this May with our new Design Interventions initiative which acts as a creative platform for the incredible talent and imagination of the participating architects and designers,” says Marlon Cera-Marle, Design Division Director at Media 10, the organiser of the annual design festival. 

“These thought-provoking installations are set to bring a new interactive dimension to

the show. We’re looking forward to another successful year welcoming tens of thousands of people from the UK and abroad to EC1 to discover the latest that global design has to offer.”

Across all venues, CDW will feature hundreds of design brands, showcasing furniture, lighting, textiles,

surfaces, home accessories and product design. Confirmed exhibitors include String Furniture, Moroso,

Swedese, Dornbracht and Vincent Sheppard. Collections from Austria, Denmark and Italy will also

return.

Visitors should note that a new state-of-the-art app replaces the printed, paper guide and tickets in 2026. The CDW app will be helping them to tailor their visit and navigate the venues, exhibitors, participating showrooms and much more according to their specific interests.

Festival-goers can also enjoy exclusive discounts and offerings from local food and drink partners.

Architects and interior designers will have the opportunity to join guided specialist tours covering topics

ranging from sustainability to emerging design talent and more.

Images from Clerkenwell Design Week website.

Exhibition: Japanese Heritage Brand Nakagawa and Danish company Carl Hansen & Søn Unite for London Exhibition on Craft and Design

A new exhibition in London this May will bring together centuries-old Japanese craftsmanship and Danish modernist design, highlighting a shared philosophy rooted in everyday use and longevity.

Visitors with an interest in Japanese culture have long been drawn to Nara, widely regarded as a birthplace of foundational crafts and a centre for traditional arts such as calligraphy and tea ceremonies. Once Japan’s imperial capital in the 8th century, before Kyoto, the city retains a compact historic character, with many of its landmarks clustered around Nara Park.

Nakagawa tea set.

Now, a heritage brand founded in the city over 300 years ago is expanding its presence in the UK. Nakagawa, established in 1716, is launching a month-long exhibition and cultural programme in collaboration with Danish furniture maker Carl Hansen & Søn. The event follows the success of Nakagawa’s London pop-up store in Shoreditch last September.

The exhibition, titled Crafting the Everyday: 300 Years of Nara meets Danish Modernism, will run from 19 May to 16 June 2026 at Carl Hansen & Søn’s showroom in Clerkenwell. It coincides with both Clerkenwell Design Week and the London Festival of Architecture.

Nakagawa home and lifestyle products.

Nakagawa is known for its mission to revitalise “kogei” — traditional Japanese crafts — by combining historical techniques with contemporary design suited to modern living. The company began as a merchant of Nara-Sarashi, a finely hand-woven ramie cloth once used by samurai for ceremonial dress, and has continued through 13 generations of family leadership.   Signature products include the award-winning traditional Hana-Fukin ramie dishcloths often adorned with functional and decorative Sashiko embroidery, and traditional Kaya-ori Fukin Japanese kitchen cloths made from layered, open-weave cotton or rayon (mosquito netting fabric), alongside a wide range of contemporary home and lifestyle goods. 

Hana-Fukin ramie dishcloths

Today, Nakagawa works with more than 800 artisans across Japan, supporting regional craft traditions through modern applications. Its Danish partner, Carl Hansen & Søn, founded in 1908, has become synonymous with Danish modernism, producing furniture defined by precision, restraint and durability.

 Carl Hansen & Søn

Crafting the Everyday: 300 Years of Nara meets Danish Modernism is designed as a series of lived-in interiors rather than a conventional display. Nakagawa’s handcrafted objects are placed alongside Carl Hansen & Søn furniture to create domestic scenes reflecting everyday rituals.

In the dining area, a simple arrangement of homeware features the brand’s signature ramie Hana-Fukin cloth used as a placemat, accompanied by rice and soup bowls, small dishes and tea sets. The kitchen space is presented as a calm, almost architectural composition of tools and vessels, emphasising order and clarity.

Two contrasting living environments explore different approaches to comfort. One focuses on floor-based living, with cushions and textiles made using traditional sakiori (rag weaving) techniques, reinterpreted for contemporary use. The other highlights Yokoburi embroidery, a craft rooted in kimono-making, with textiles featuring poems from the Man’yōshū, Japan’s oldest anthology of verse.

At the core of the exhibition is Nakagawa’s long-term aim to ensure traditional crafts remain relevant. The company emphasises that preservation alone is insufficient, arguing that craft must be used in daily life to endure. Guided by the philosophy of “preservation through transformation,” Nakagawa is committed to sustaining traditional crafts by adapting them for modern life with a focus on sustainability, longevity, and mindful living.

Carl Hansen & Søn’s philosophy aligns closely, with designs intended to be practical, long-lasting and passed down through generations.  The heritage Danish furniture brand founded in 1908 is rooted in a philosophy that unites exceptional craftsmanship, functional design, and natural materials. The company is renowned for its long-standing collaboration with designer Hans J. Wegner, whose iconic pieces such as the Wishbone Chair and CH25 remain in continuous production. 

A programme of free workshops will accompany the exhibition, including ramie postcard colouring and sessions where visitors can create their own flavoured teas. Each workshop will run on selected days, with three sessions per day, and advance booking will be required.

Crafting the Everyday: 300 Years of Nara meets Danish Modernism will take place from 19 May to 16 June 2026 at the Carl Hansen & Søn showroom, 16A Bowling Green Lane, Clerkenwell, London. Admission is free.

Exhibition Launch: A New Exhibition - GIANNI VERSACE RETROSPECTIVE - to be staged in Paris June 5 - September 6, 2026

A major retrospective dedicated to the late Italian designer Gianni Versace is set to open in Paris this summer, offering a comprehensive look at the life and work of one of fashion’s most influential and flamboyant designers.

From 5 June 2026, the Musée Maillol will host the first large-scale exhibition in France devoted to Versace since 1986. The show will run throughout the summer in the French capital, widely regarded as a global centre of fashion.

Titled Gianni Versace Retrospective, the exhibition will feature nearly 450 items, including original garments, accessories, sketches, photographs, videos and rare interview material. Together, these works aim to provide an extensive overview of the designer’s creative output and enduring influence.

Designed by scenographer Nathalie Crinière, the exhibition traces Versace’s career from his early years in the family atelier in Calabria to his rise as a defining figure in international fashion. It highlights the diverse influences that shaped his aesthetic, from Catholic iconography and Greek sculpture to Italian opera and the opulence of the Baroque period.

The retrospective has already been shown in several European cities, including London, Berlin and Málaga, and arrives in Paris at a symbolic moment. The exhibition coincides with the approaching 30th anniversary of Versace’s death in 1997, as well as what would have been his 80th birthday.

More than 120 silhouettes and mannequins will be displayed, exploring the designer’s creative inspirations across art, history and popular culture. His work is presented alongside references to artists such as Sandro Botticelli, Antonio Canova and Pablo Picasso, as well as the pop art movement, notably through the influence of Andy Warhol. Contemporary artist Julian Schnabel is also referenced, reflecting Versace’s engagement with the visual culture of his time.

The exhibition further examines how Versace’s designs were captured and disseminated by leading fashion photographers, including Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, Helmut Newton, Patrick Demarchelier and Mario Testino.

Versace’s close ties to popular culture are also highlighted, with references to collaborations and relationships with high-profile figures such as Madonna, Elton John, George Michael, Grace Jones and Prince, as well as public figures including Diana, Princess of Wales and Elizabeth Hurley.

The role of supermodels in shaping the fashion landscape of the late 20th century is another key theme. Figures such as Carla Bruni, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer, Karen Mulder and Linda Evangelista are featured through archival footage, photographs and magazine material documenting the era.

The retrospective charts the evolution of Versace’s style, from the punk and bondage-inspired designs of the 1990s to the more minimalist silhouettes of his later years, as well as the vibrant, Miami-influenced aesthetic and bold printed silks that became his signature.

Paris itself plays a central role in the narrative. Although Versace helped shift the fashion spotlight towards Milan in the late 1970s, he maintained a strong presence in the French capital. In 1989, he launched his haute couture line, Atelier Versace, presenting collections during Paris Fashion Week. His shows at the Ritz Hotel on Place Vendôme became renowned for their theatricality and star-studded audiences.

The exhibition running from 5 June to 6 September 2026, also recalls that Versace’s final public appearance took place in Paris, shortly before his death in Miami in 1997.

Organisers say the exhibition’s design draws on the symbolism of the catwalk, with runway-inspired staging extending throughout the galleries. In doing so, it reflects both the spectacle of Versace’s shows and his lasting impact on the intersection of fashion, art and contemporary culture.

New Opening: British Brand ILIV Opens New Showroom at Chelsea Harbour Design Centre, London

UK premium interiors fabric brand ILIV has opened a new showroom in London at the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, marking a significant step in its expansion within one of the country’s most influential design destinations.

Situated on the fifth floor, the showroom forms part of the recently launched Design Emporium Collective — a curated, multi-brand concept space bringing together a diverse selection of homeware and interiors brands.

The new space will serve as ILIV’s dedicated London hub for its residential collections, positioning the company at the heart of the capital’s design community. The showroom is also expected to strengthen relationships with interior designers and retail partners while supporting the brand’s growing network.

Visitors to the showroom can explore a carefully curated edit of ILIV’s pattern books, full-length fabric displays and a selection of take-away samples. The space showcases the brand’s latest collections, alongside a wide range of plain and textured fabrics, all presented within a design-led environment intended to inspire.

Designers and visitors are invited to explore the new showroom by taking the express lift to the fifth floor of the Design Centre East.

Jason Kenworthy, CEO of ILIV, described the opening as a key milestone for the business. 

“Opening a showroom at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour is an exciting milestone for ILIV. The Design Emporium Collective provides a wonderful opportunity to showcase our collections in a creative environment while strengthening our relationships with the interior design community,” he said.

ILIV specialises in textiles for both residential and commercial spaces, supported by a global team committed to innovation and quality. The brand focuses closely on detail to help interior design professionals create and transform spaces.

ILIV is part of the SMD Group, founded in 1987 in Lancashire, a region renowned for its rich textile heritage. Since its beginnings as a family-owned business, the SMD Group has evolved into a leading force within the interior textiles market.

Known for its eclectic style, ILIV draws inspiration from archive documents through to contemporary geometric designs, reflecting a versatility that complements both modern and traditional interiors.

Artist Focus: New David Hockney Exhibition to Open at Serpentine North in London

A new exhibition by the celebrated British artist David Hockney will open at London Serpentine’s Serpentine North Gallery on 12 March 2026, presenting new paintings alongside the artist’s monumental frieze A Year in Normandie. The exhibition, titled A Year in Normandie and Some Other Thoughts about Painting, will run until 23 August 2026 and marks Hockney’s first presentation at the Serpentine. Admission will be free.

David Hockney, London 2023
(Image credit: © David Hockney Photo Credit: Jean-Pierre Gonçalves de Lima)

The show follows the artist’s major retrospective at Fondation Louis Vuitton in 2025, which featured more than 400 works spanning seven decades of his career. In contrast, the Serpentine exhibition offers a more intimate view of Hockney’s recent practice.

“David Hockney’s work invites us to look closely and rediscover the world around us,” said Bettina Korek, chief executiove of the Serpentine, adding that the gallery was pleased to present the works free of charge in the park setting.

At the centre of the exhibition will be A Year in Normandie (2020–2021), a panoramic frieze being shown in London for the first time. 

David Hockney: A Year in Normandie and Some Other Thoughts about Painting, installation view, Serpentine North, 2026 © David Hockney. Photo: George Darrell

Extending around the perimeter gallery, the work charts the changing seasons around Hockney’s former studio in Normandy, France. Created during the spring of 2020, when global lockdowns brought much of the world to a halt, the piece comprises more than 100 digital paintings produced on an iPad. Working quickly and intuitively, Hockney captured shifts in light, weather and landscape across the year.

David Hockney: A Year in Normandie and Some Other Thoughts about Painting, installation view, Serpentine North, 2026 © David Hockney. Photo: George Darrell

The format of the work draws inspiration from Chinese scroll painting as well as the eleventh-century Bayeux Tapestry. The resulting compositions combine broad areas of bold colour with playful, pop-like details as spring gives way to summer, autumn and winter.

David Hockney, Abstraction Resting on a Red and White Checkered Tablecloth, 2025. (Image credit: © David Hockney. Photo: Prudence Cuming)

Alongside the frieze, the exhibition will debut a new body of paintings created for the Serpentine. The series includes five still lifes and five portraits depicting members of Hockney’s close circle, including family members and carers. Each painting is arranged with a frontal composition and incorporates a recurring gingham tablecloth motif.

In these works Hockney merges abstract and figurative approaches. The artist has long argued that figurative painting is inherently abstract, as it exists on a flat surface. A large-scale mural by Hockney will also be installed in the garden at Serpentine North. The printed work depicts a tree house from the spring section of A Year in Normandie and will be displayed at the rear of the gallery, echoing its origin in the artist’s own garden in Normandy.

“I have always believed that art should be a deep pleasure,” Hockney said in a statement. “There is always, everywhere, an enormous amount of suffering, but I believe that my duty as an artist is to overcome and alleviate the sterility of despair. New ways of seeing mean new ways of feeling. I do believe that painting can change the world.”

Hans Ulrich Obrist, the Serpentine’s artistic director and curator of the exhibition alongside Claude Adjil, said Hockney continues to experiment with painting at the age of 88.  He noted that the new portraits explore both the presence of the sitters and the act of seeing itself, while the frieze offers a personal reflection on the passage of time.

A catalogue designed by Hockney will accompany the exhibition, published by Serpentine and Verlag der Buchhandlung Walther und Franz König. The publication will include essays by Marco Livingstone and Olivia Laing, as well as a conversation between Hockney and Obrist.

Separately, the artist will unveil a new commission at Turner Contemporary in Margate on 1 April 2026. Created to mark the gallery’s 15th anniversary, the work will transform the Sunley Gallery’s floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the North Sea, measuring approximately seven by ten metres.

A Year in Normandie and Some Other Thoughts about Painting - Serpentine North Gallery - 12 March - 23 August 2026     Admission Free

Images courtesy of  The Serpentine, London

London Event: Design Centre Chelsea Harbour Stages London Design Week 2026 with a Celebration of Creativity

London Design Week 2026 has officially opened at the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, in London transforming the venue into a vibrant showcase of contemporary creativity, craftsmanship and design innovation.

More than 100 free “Access All Areas” events are taking place throughout the week, hosted by the centre’s showrooms and invited House Guests. The programme features panel discussions, presentations of new collections, artisan demonstrations and professional development sessions aimed at designers and enthusiasts alike. 

Ralph Lauren Home unveils the new Spring 2026 collection: Meadow Lane during London Design Week  2026
at the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour. 

To discover fresh ideas that shape the future of design, click HERE to explore the full programme.

Among the highlights is a talk on 11 March by Inge Moore, founder of Muza Lab. Titled “The Age of Tactility: Mastering Touch in Experience-led Design,” the presentation explores the growing importance of sensory elements in modern interiors. 

Inge Moore, founder at Muza Lab

Moore will examine how tactile materials and subtle design details influence comfort, perception and emotional connection in spaces increasingly shaped by experience-led design.

Luxury lifestyle brand Ralph Lauren Home is also unveiling its Spring 2026 collection, Meadow Lane, during the event. Inspired by coastal living, the collection combines casual elegance with a sense of timeless romance, evoking the atmosphere of a relaxed seaside home.

Craftsman showing how it is done at George Smith

Craftsmanship is another central theme of the week. At the showroom of George Smith, visitors can attend “From Frame to Finish: The Art of Upholstery,” where a master upholsterer will demonstrate the construction process behind one of the company’s best-selling pieces. The live demonstration offers insight into the traditional techniques and precision involved in creating high-quality upholstered furniture.

The art of Setting the Scene with creative floral arrangements.

Floral design also features prominently in the programme. At the new Design Emporium Collective, floral designer Paul Hawkins, founder of Paul Hawkins Flowers, will lead a session on creating immersive tablescapes. The demonstration will cover everything from arranging seasonal flowers to adding finishing touches that elevate the dining experience.

Throughout the week, registered visitors can also join guided “Walk and Talk” tours, offering an insider’s look at the latest collections and the newly introduced Design Emporium Collective.

With its extensive programme of talks, demonstrations and exhibitions, London Design Week 2026 aims to inspire professionals and design enthusiasts while showcasing the ideas shaping the future of interiors.

All images from Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, London Design Week 2026.

New Launch: Linwood Unveils Chesil Weaves Collection, Bringing Textured Calm to Modern Interiors

British interior furnishings brand Linwood Fabric has unveiled a new collection of textured woven fabrics, Chesil Weaves, aimed at bringing understated depth and calm to contemporary interiors.

Chesil Weaves Collection from Linwood

The launch comes at a time when many people, amid the pressures of a fast-paced and technology-driven world and ongoing international uncertainty, are increasingly drawn to comforting, nostalgic ideas of “slow living”.

Sofa uphostered in Strata, Cafe Crema, with matching cushions, from Linwood's Chesil Collection
The woven fabric features subtle horizontal detailing showcasing an interplay of yarns to create depth and texture, giving this versatile upholstery and curtain fabric a relaxed, artisanal feel. Its understated structure suits curtains, blinds and upholstered pieces where texture is present but never overpowering.

The Chesil Weaves collection is defined by tactile yarns, gentle patterning and subtle tonal variation. Together, the complementary designs create a look that feels relaxed yet refined. Rather than relying on bold motifs, the fabrics favour softly decorative surfaces that highlight the natural beauty of woven texture, helping interiors appear layered, tranquil and thoughtfully composed.

Lamina, Carmine, from Linwood's Chesil Collection
A woven fabric with a gentle chevron rhythm and subtle tonal contrast. The interplay of yarns creates depth and movement, giving the fabric a relaxed, tactile character. Suitable for headboards and upholstery.

Woven in Italy, the fabrics combine decorative appeal with everyday practicality. While the collection has been developed primarily for upholstery, several designs are also suitable for curtains and other soft furnishings, offering durability alongside a refined aesthetic for modern homes.

Tidal, Cyan, from Linwood's Chesil Collection
A softly textured woven fabric with a gently rippled surface and subtle tonal variation. Interlacing yarns create movement and depth, lending this upholstery and curtain fabric a relaxed, organic character. Particularly well suited to sofas, armchairs and classic dressed windows in calm, natural schemes.

The range is presented in a harmonious palette of tonal shades designed to work easily with both plains and patterned textiles. Whether used individually or combined within a broader scheme, the fabrics provide designers with a versatile way to introduce texture and depth without overwhelming a space.

All images from Linwood Fabric