From 21 to 23 May 2019, in London, the independent design festival CDW turns 10 with many events hosted in the design-oriented Clerkenwell
Giant candles, 3m high and scattered around the area, will be the most evident symbol of the celebrations for the 10th edition of the annual Clerkenwell Design Week, which opens the doors of 100 showrooms, practices and 7 exhibition venues to all design addicts. CDW confirms its role as a must-attend event for the international design community.
Anniversary creative campaign by Cai and Kyn – Featured product: Pholc – Mobil Pendant
To mark the importance of a young but not too young event, a creative campaign and a logo have been commissioned by CDW. The logo is actually represented by 10 logos that playfully use the CDW letters to celebrate Clerkenwell’s cultural landmarks, design products and the inevitable number 10.
Moreover, each year, CDW Presents showcases site specific installations that, for the special 2019 edition, will be integrated with street spectacles also inspired by the (sometimes dark) historical tales of Clerkenwell. In conjunction with the project, Lansdown’s London will be hosting a number of historical walking tours in the old district known for its clock-makers and gin distillers.
The success of Clerkenwell Design Week has been growing from year to year: in 2018 300 exhibiting brands (including Cappellini, Kvadrat and Moroso as well as emerging talents) attracted more than 34,000 visitors. And the 10th anniversary will be celebrated with the biggest and best programme yet, including pop-ups, workshops and talks.
Seven exhibition venues make the map of CDW even more articulate and interesting:
Design Fields: at the northern end of Clerkenwell, it presents the best in design
- Platform: cutting-edge design is displayed in the subterranean depths of The House of Detention (a rare opportunity to explore it)
- Project: contract furniture, lighting and surface brands are exhibited in the Garden of St James’s Church
- British Collection: for the third year, up and coming designers from the UK showcase their works in the Crypt of St James’s Church
- Detail: the Garden & Crypt of the Order of St John is perfect for craftsmanship and luxury
- Elements: ironmongery and architectural accessories are on St John’s Square, within a street-market style pavilion
- Light: since 2018, a former cold-store with brick vaults showcases the latest lighting products.
The success of CDW, a really unique event, has been its ability to create a showcase and a platform for British design brands, which are thus able to be seen and heard within the UK furniture industry, while becoming internationally recognized. [Text Lucia Bocchi]
