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ICON LDF Guide

ICON’s guide to navigating London Design Festival

From product launches to insightful talks and engaging showroom activities, there’s something for everyone during the 22nd edition of London Design Festival

Design
05.09.24
Bard Upended

Matthew Hyndman’s debut show Upended subverts cliched tropes of Scottish landscape photography

The Edinburgh gallery Bard is hosting an exhibition of 10 monumental photographic prints by artist and activist Matthew Hyndman in a show called Upended

Design
02.09.24
Marimekko unikko print pink

Design icon: Finland’s most famous flower is celebrating its 60th birthday this year

This year sees the 60th birthday of Marimekko’s most famous image – the oversized floral print Unikko, designed by Maija Isola. And in this year’s spring/ summer collection, the Finnish textile pioneer pays tribute to its 1960s roots

Design
29.08.24

Alfred Newall discusses his craft and finding the balance between heritage and modernity

UK-based woodworker Alfred Newall discusses his creative journey to date in an exclusive interview with ICON. Roddy Clarke reports

Design
23.08.24

Design Destination: ICON’s tips for where to go and what to see in London Fields

From neighbourhood cafés to design-led stores and community hangouts, make the most of this hip London area with our insights from local design insiders 

Design
19.08.24
Tom Wood

ICON profiles the female leaders revolutionising the Scandinavian fashion industry

We meet the female leaders shaking up the Scandinavian fashion industry and setting a new path for visual culture

Design
15.08.24

Textile designer Joanne O’Rourke discusses her connection to nature and its impact on her design philosophy

A recent graduate of Norwich University of the Arts, Joanne O’Rourke’s latest collection ‘Harmonious Nature’s Rhythms’ alludes to her love of the natural world and its deep connection to her design values.

Design
13.08.24
Frieze Los Angeles Make Room Yeni Mao

Meet Essence Harden: The Los Angeles-based curator exploring the intersection of art, history and culture

As co-curator for the 2025 edition of Made in L.A. Biennial at the Hammer Museum, and curator of Frieze Los Angeles, Focus 2024, Essence Harden's work is rooted in community and place

Design
12.08.24

Meet Mathilde Wittock: An emerging designer bringing new life to unexpected materials

Graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2021, Belgian designer Mathilde Wittock has gone from strength to strength thanks to her visionary creativity and undeniable passion. ICON explores her journey so far

Design
06.08.24
Buster and Punch Staub pan

A new collaboration between Buster + Punch and Staub elevates a British cultural icon

From door handles to designer lighting and now cookware, Buster + Punch's latest collaboration with legacy French brand Staub aims to celebrate and elevate a cultural icon - the full English breakfast

Design
05.08.24

Four design talents to look out for from New Designers 2024

Returning for its 39th year, New Designers once again put the spotlight onto the latest class of graduates eager to make their mark in the contemporary design world.

Design
30.07.24
King Living white sofa feature

King Living expands its global presence with a USA launch and the upcoming opening of its third UK showroom

In an interview with David Woollcott, the CEO of Australian furniture brand King Living, ICON gained an insight into the company’s growth plan and its considered approach to design

Design
25.07.24
Bleo installation

Blēo launches vibrant new colour palette created in collaboration with the Josef & Anni Albers Foundation

The Josef Albers Color Interactions Palette, created by Blēo and the Josef & Anni Albers Foundation, and curated by Ambra Medda of AMO, is a visual exploration inspired by one of the most influential art-teachers of the 20th century

Design
17.07.24

Jaipur Rugs brings the magic of its home city to London with the opening of its first UK showroom

One of India’s leading handmade rug manufacturers, Jaipur Rugs, has opened its first UK showroom located in the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour

Design
15.07.24
Rio Kobayashi

Rio Kobayashi tells ICON how his Japanese and Austrian-Italian heritage influences his work

‘If I lost my sense of curiosity, I don’t know what I’d do...’ The UK-based furniture designer and maker speaks to ICON about how his heritage stimulates his cultural curiosity and his playful, worldly design sensibility

Design
09.07.24

Daylesford Organic launches its largest capsule homewares collection in partnership with Hugo Guinness

In an exclusive collaboration with renowned artist Hugo Guinness, Daylesford Organic has launched its largest homewares collection to date

Design
04.07.24
Tekla Jamie xx

Jamie xx and Tekla celebrate the artist’s new album In Wave with striking capsule collection

Launching today, the limited capsule collection, made in celebration of Jamie xx’s upcoming album In Waves, comprises hooded bathrobes and beach towels in a bold monochrome graphic colourway

Design
03.07.24

Earl of East’s new Café collection playfully embraces circularity

Staying true to the brand’s circular ethos, the new Café collection by Earl of East features candles served up in reusable diner mugs

Design
02.07.24

Meet Marina Cighir: The creative force behind Italian design studio Aina Kari

Producing decorative glassware and an exquisite range of home fragrance, Aina Kari is reigniting the beauty of Italian craft. We meet its founder Marina Cighir to discuss the creativity behind the brand and its connection to ancient Persian techniques.

Design
28.06.24

ASICS teams up with HAY for limited edition trainer collection

The collaboration reimagines one of the most iconic styles, the Skyhand OG by ASICS, which dates back to 1994, through the lens of HAY's eye for colour and design

Design
25.06.24
Bolon Atelier September 3 Days of Design

Editor’s Picks: 10 highlights from 3 Days of Design 2024

Copenhagen's popular design festival 3 Days of Design returned from 12-14 June. We round up the latest design news and inspiration from the Danish capital

Design
21.06.24

Editor's choice

Snøhetta’s Sámi hub Čoarvemátta is designed to withstand the harsh winters of north Norway

How Jean Jullien is bringing smiles to audiences around the world with his Paper People

Light up your space with ICON’s top design picks for the new season

Harriet Allure uses scent to invoke a sense of nostalgia and connection to heritage

Editor’s Picks: The best new season design and lifestyle launches

Meet Milla Novo: The textile artist bridging the gap between technology and heritage crafts

Architecture Against the Odds looks at difficult sites in a new exhibition at RIBA

Design Icon: Alvar Aalto’s Armchair 400

Meet James Burial: The US artist bringing his playful aesthetic to the UK




Architects

Snøhetta’s Sámi hub Čoarvemátta is designed to withstand the harsh winters of north Norway

Architecture Against the Odds looks at difficult sites in a new exhibition at RIBA

Out of rubble: archigrest and topoScape reimagine Warsaw’s Uprising Mound as a living park and monument

A new exhibition at the Danish Architecture Center puts on show a bold response to rising waters

LA practice Kadre Architects uses design as a street-level tool for social change

A new book by Stefano Casciani offers an insight into Piero Lissoni’s work

Architecture Icon: The Paimio Sanatorium and its humanistic approach to modernism

Architecture Icon: How the Noguchi Musuem advances the appreciation of its founder’s art and legacy

Architecture Icon: Alvar and Aino Aalto’s house in Helsinki bears all the hallmarks of their approach to design


More

How Jean Jullien is bringing smiles to audiences around the world with his Paper People

Light up your space with ICON’s top design picks for the new season

Harriet Allure uses scent to invoke a sense of nostalgia and connection to heritage

Editor’s Picks: The best new season design and lifestyle launches

Meet Milla Novo: The textile artist bridging the gap between technology and heritage crafts

Design Icon: Alvar Aalto’s Armchair 400

Meet James Burial: The US artist bringing his playful aesthetic to the UK

The founder of Zieta Studio tells ICON how its experimental processes are moving forward

Roddy Clarke looks into Fritz Hansen’s new circular initiative and what the move means for its classic shell chairs


Videos

Snøhetta’s Sámi hub Čoarvemátta is designed to withstand the harsh winters of north Norway

How Jean Jullien is bringing smiles to audiences around the world with his Paper People

Light up your space with ICON’s top design picks for the new season

Harriet Allure uses scent to invoke a sense of nostalgia and connection to heritage

Editor’s Picks: The best new season design and lifestyle launches

Meet Milla Novo: The textile artist bridging the gap between technology and heritage crafts

Architecture Against the Odds looks at difficult sites in a new exhibition at RIBA

Design Icon: Alvar Aalto’s Armchair 400

Meet James Burial: The US artist bringing his playful aesthetic to the UK