My London Design Festival 2011

Last Friday was the opening of the Postmodernism exhibition at the V&A. Before visiting the show I was welcomed by this spiral by Amanda Levete Architects. What a great start to this year's London Design Festival.


This giant gorilla by David Mach introduces The Power of Making exhibition organised by the Crafts Council. Made out of coat hangers, this sculpture perfectly describes the meaning of the show. I just wonder how long it took to make. So eye catching, the giant gorilla stands at the right place.

An office building in Hammersmith also houses another piece by David Mach - an astronaut going up and down a transparent lift. He is visible from the outside so everytime I go past I have to stop and admire the craftsmanship.




The Power of Making exhibition puts together both acclaimed designers and members of the public who love to create. What a great idea. The room is filled with inspiration from top to bottom. Thumbs up for this exhibition.



'Textile Field' by Bouroullec Brothers also topped up my list of favourites. The installation fills the space of the Raphael Gallery with colour and comfort.

I must admit, this textile piece beckoned me as if saying 'Come on, lounge on me'. So I did - together with other visitors to the gallery. What a bliss. I just wish it could stay there longer. I would visit this part of the V&A more often.





Tent London is a fair I always look forward to visiting during the London Design Festival. This year (as well as last) was extra special since my friend (another colleague in crime from university) was showing her work.

Lizzie Mary Cullen is a designer with a heart at the right place. An illustrator throughout from day one. Her enthusiasm shines through her work which is so well demonstrated on her website. Definitely worth visiting since it describes her work and activivties all so well.

Here, I caught her in action when she was writing a letter to a couple of lovely girls. A 'Love Letter' is one of Lizzie's current projects which she brought with her to Tent. A great way of demonstrating her skill on the spot.


The Old Spitafields Market also took part in London Design Festival. It hosted Origin - The Contemporary Craft Fair. There was so much to see and admire but it was two names respectively that stood out (at least to me). Jewellery designer and maker Anna Wales who incorporates touch of colour in a form of textile beads into her Boa Collection and a craft designer Catherine Carr who specialises in glass and textiles. What I wanted to see was her crocheted glass and I was not disappointed. The Origin Fair exceeded my expectations.

There was much more to see and write about. I have just touched it with a few personal insights. Therefore, let me know your experience from the London Design Festival 2011. Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Kx