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.