A well of inspiration

Having worked in and around Clerkenwell for over two decades with various design studios, Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) is always a much-anticipated event. Every year towards the end of May the whole area bursts into life in a sea of CDW’s iconic magenta branding; from the showrooms to the thought-provoking public installations to the exhibition venues.

Going back to the turn of the new millennium there was just a single showroom. Vitra, on Clerkenwell Road. It landed impressively in 1999 and we were all wondering ‘ Hmm that’s interesting’. By 2011 (CDW’s second year) there were 35 showrooms participating in CDW and a broadening design appeal with the likes of handbag designer Lulu Guinness on the programme, inspiring audiences with her 3D design ideas.

Fast forward to 2023. There were over 160 local showrooms, 11 exhibition venues, and an array of workshops and inspirational talks. The most extensive programme yet with its now firmly established interior design focus.

My own immediate sense during the first of two days visiting EC1, was that this was quite possibly the biggest and best CDW I’d seen. There was a palpable level of energy and excitement among everyone I met. With the world’s economies now rebounding after the global pandemic, a feeling of ‘business as usual’ and back to full-scale was perfuming the air. It seems we were all wearing the scent.

Whether it be lighting, furniture, ceramics, bathrooms, kitchens or indeed flooring, there was a mouth-watering feast of beautifully curated interior products. For any commercial interior designer or architect this was manna from heaven. Almost 500 design brands and makers showcased in the eclectic exhibition venues and immaculate ‘CDW branded’ showrooms, offering great levels of personalised hospitality – all choreographed to catch your attention. Whatever sector you might specify products in, it seems CDW has it covered.

Of the many brands on show, a few caught our attention. Some through their beautiful product design, others through their warmth and inviting teams. These included Fritz Hansen, Modulyss, Pad Home and Schotten & Hansen. An attractive added dimension being the increasing number of design studios who are now opening their doors. It was a joy to meet the lovely people of Conran & Partners in their new Great Sutton Street home. What a great space!

Some elements of the festival really do make CDW special and different. Its historic buildings and heritage stretching back over 500 years give it a unique identity and artisanal provenance. Since the 16th century it’s been a centre for watchmaking, and today the many hundreds of architects and design firms along with designer-makers maintain its distinct creative persona. Where else could you have a design exhibition in a 900 year-old crypt – at the order of St John, St John’s Square. With this impressive blueprint and format, it’s little wonder that many brands choose to launch new products at CDW ahead of others such as the Milan furniture fair.

2023 was a year that did not disappoint, and I have to say it was the best I’ve experienced. The organisers and all those that participated deserve huge credit for making this a truly inspirational celebration of design. It was no surprise to hear that with a total nearing 38,000 visitors from the UK and overseas this was the best attendance in CDW’s 14-year history and impressively 24% up on 2019.

CDW ’24 is in the diary!