London Design Festival Showcases Innovative Designs from Around the World
The London Design Festival 2025 is showcasing a diverse array of innovative designs from global creators, with a strong emphasis on collaboration, sustainability, and cultural exchange across the city’s districts.
London is currently hosting the 23rd edition of the London Design Festival, running from September 13 to 21, 2025, and drawing designers, makers, and visitors from around the world. The festival is recognized as a leading event in the international design calendar, spotlighting both established and emerging talent through hundreds of exhibitions, installations, workshops, and talks spread across the city’s design districts.
Global Innovation and Collaboration
This year’s festival is marked by a spirit of collaboration and innovation, with group shows and curated displays highlighting the work of designers from diverse backgrounds. According to Wallpaper*, the festival’s key players include recipients of the London Design Medal and newcomers such as Alex Tieghi-Walker, whose debut in Brompton brings fresh perspectives to the scene. The Material Matters fair is focusing on the future of materials, featuring talks and exhibits that explore sustainable practices and experimental design. Notably, Grymsdyke Farm’s project encourages the use of recycled materials, demonstrating the festival’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
International Highlights and Cultural Exchange
A standout exhibition is "Kagoshima: Stories in Craft from South Japan," which returns for its third edition at the Oxo Tower Wharf. This showcase features 22 makers from Japan’s southernmost region, with a special focus on woodworker Shintaro Oku, who leads live demonstrations and workshops on zero-waste wood carving. The event celebrates the region’s rich cultural identity, blending traditional techniques with contemporary craft. Other international contributions include immersive installations inspired by South Asian cosmologies at The Asylum Chapel, curated by Royal College of Art graduates, and explorations of the African diaspora through works in wood, textiles, and other media.
Emerging Talent and Inclusive Design
Emerging designers are given a platform through exhibitions such as "Slow Moments" by the Royal College of Art’s Design Products cohort, which explores the quiet power of material and interaction. Inclusive design is also a major theme, with 2LG Studio’s "Green Carnation" installation paying tribute to Oscar Wilde and celebrating queer creativity through works by LGBTQ+ designers. The festival’s programming includes hands-on workshops, product launches, and open studios, encouraging public engagement and creative exchange.
Districts and Venues
The festival spans multiple districts, including Shoreditch, Brompton, Mayfair, and Bankside, each hosting a unique mix of events. Shoreditch Design Triangle, the largest official district, features over 100 design-led events and 60 participating studios, showrooms, and pop-ups. Venues such as the V&A South Kensington and SCP are celebrating design’s response to urgent global issues, from resource extraction to AI and cultural heritage at risk.
With its dynamic blend of local and international talent, the London Design Festival 2025 is reinforcing the city’s reputation as a global hub for design innovation, cultural dialogue, and creative experimentation.