89. London Design Festival Special #2 - Colourful, Convivial Design Collaborations

In episode two of our series of mini-episodes reporting from the London Design Festival, an annual event that takes over the UK capital every September, we visit some of the exhibitions on show in the west side of town at Brompton Design District. Curator of the area, design writer and consultant Jane Withers, explains the theme, Conviviality – The Art of Living Together, and shares some of her highlights. We catch up with East London-based designer and woodworker Rio Kobayashi (6:41mins) and hear about his colourful debut solo show, Manus Manum Lavat, which includes furniture pieces reinvented and reborn through colour, artisanship and marquetry.  Also in this episode, hear from design duo Peter Pilotto and Christopher de Vos Caballero (16:30mins) , who return to Cromwell Place for the first time since 2017 and have shifted their focus from fashion to home. Phase 2 consists of rugs created in Nepal, lacquered tables made in the UK, upholstery exhibited on vintage sofas, embroidered velvets, and also a range of gender-inclusive clothing. We hear about their inspirations for the collection, from malachite to design longevity.  

In our next episode, we head to Material Matters on London’s Southbank ⁠⁠– keep your eyes peeled for the next drop.