Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW), the UK’s leading design festival, returns to London between 23 – 25 May 2023 – with a stronger-than-ever programme including the exciting addition of Design London. “With the global design community descending to London in May, Clerkenwell Design Week is the perfect new home for Design London,” says Marlon Cera-Marle, Design Division Director of Media 10. “Amalgamating Design London (which was formerly held in Greenwich in September) into the programme of events further bolsters the experience of Clerkenwell Design Week, as the most anticipated design destination after Milan.”
The 12th edition of CDW will again take place in the heart of Clerkenwell – historically a melting pot of craftsmen and makers, and now home to more creative businesses and architects per square mile than anywhere else in the world. The 2023 festival is set to offer the biggest programme to date – with more than 600 events taking place across the EC1 neighbourhood.
Since inception in 2009, CDW has established itself as one of the foremost independent festivals in the global design calendar, championing design excellence, creativity and innovations.
“We’re thrilled to be back with Clerkenwell Design Week this May,” says Cera-Marle.“CDW is always known for being one of the key destinations for specification – as well as discovering new talent and ideas – for architects, interior designers and creative minds alike.”
“This year we have a strong line-up of brands, partners and speakers joining our programme – which we look forward to announcing in spring. From product showcases to one-off installations, headline talks to networking events, CDW 2023 will bring some of the most exciting and forward-thinking content to Clerkenwell – while celebrating the best of design and creativity from around the world.”
The 2023 festival welcomes two new additions to its exhibition venues across Clerkenwell, taking the total number to 12. Hosting an array of temporary shows, this year’s venues include:
Together, these 12 unique venues will present over 300 design brands and emerging talent – covering furniture, kitchens and bathrooms, textiles, home interior accessories, lighting, materials and surfaces. Some of the participants include: Ercol, Dare Studio, Benchmark, Another Country, Christian Watson, James Burleigh, KI, Meridiani, Saba Italia, Samuel Heath, Romo, Ultrafabrics, Spark & Bell, Chelsom, Jonathan Coles, and Curiousa. Click here for the latest exhibitor list.
Another significant aspect of CDW is its network of showroom partners (full list), with an extensive line-up of topic-led initiatives and events; from product launches and exhibitions to workshops and panel discussions. This year, expect to see over 130 established names from both the UK and overseas – including: Ideal Standard, Kohler, VitrA, Cosentino, Gessi, Iris Ceramica, Arper, Fritz Hansen, Fredericia, Icons of Denmark, Modus, Flokk, Orangebox, Bisley, Lintex, Allermuir, Bolon, Camira Fabrics, Formica, Solid Nature, Havwoods, Marazzi, Strata Tiles and Parkside.
Meanwhile, eight destinations across Clerkenwell – including the Goldsmiths’ Centre, Paxton Locher House, Bourne and Hollingsworth, Groupwork, the Museum of the Order of St John, Yotel, Brewhouse Yard and Cowcross Yards – will be taken over by a selection of international brands and trade institutions; for instance, the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Businesses and Incheon City will present a design showcase at the Order of St John.
Alongside product and showroom showcases, CDW will also bring a series of specially commissioned, site-specific installations – as part of CDW Presents – as well as brand activations from the likes of Budweiser Budvar, Baux, Lammhults, Jennifer Newman, Texaa, Swatchbox, Habbio and Universal Fibers to the streets of Clerkenwell during the festival. Watch this space for further announcements.
Also returning to CDW is Conversations at Clerkenwell – a compelling schedule of daily talks aimed to explore current industry topics, drawing upon insight, opinion and debates from designers, architects and business leaders alike. Curated by brand consultant, Katie Richardson, the 2023 talks will be hosted in a purpose-built theatre in Spa Fields – sponsored by RAK Ceramics. The full line-up of speakers will be revealed in spring.
Last but not least, throughout the festival, various design studios will open their doors to visitors who can participate in a range of creative workshops – as part of the Fringe programme – whilst enjoying a variety of discounts and deals offered by local food and drink partners.
In 2022, CDW returned for the first time after the pandemic, attracting 30,424 visitors from the UK and overseas.
The 12th edition of Clerkenwell Design Week takes place across EC1, London from 23 – 25 May 2023. More details about the upcoming event will be announced in due course. For more information, please visit clerkenwelldesignweek.com.
Cover image: Photo credit © Sam Frost
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Sans Souci invites you to join them at Milan Design Week 2023!
They will be holding specially curated events Fuorisalone and Euroluce, offering to experience their 15 new collections, including their immersive piece – HARK – and their special collaborations with Karim Rashid and William Sawaya. You can join an exclusive afternoon with William Sawaya on 19 April from 4-6pm to be introduced to his unique lighting design, BRANCHY for the first time!
Fuorisalone: 17 to 23 April at Mimmo Scognamiglio Artecontemporanea, Via Goito 7, Milan.
Euroluce: 18 to 23 April at Fiera Milano, Hall 11, Booth 205.
London Design Week 2023 is where connections are created and ideas are shared. Spring’s interiors design event will be brimming with creative ideas, expertise and inspiration. Over five days, this fusion of new launches and design encounters is a must on the design calendar.
From meet-the-designer sessions to demonstrations and discovery tours, 100+ events will spark your imagination and curiosity. Conversations in Design, the renowned talks series, offers in-depth interviews and panel discussions with star names.
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Clerkenwell is home to more creative businesses and architects per square mile than anywhere else on the planet, making it truly one of the most important design hubs in the world.
To celebrate this rich and diverse community, Clerkenwell Design Week has created a showcase of leading UK and international interiors brands and companies presented in a series of showroom events, exhibitions and special installations that take place across the area. Source the latest cutting-edge products for your upcoming interior design projects!
SBID members earn 2 x CPD Points for attending!
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