London Design Week 2017 Highlights

Celebrating its 15th year in 2017, London Design Festival took over the capital from the 16th  to the 24th  September

Our number one highlight was, without a doubt, the Decorex seminar talk in which we participated “So you’re a brilliant designer, but do you have the skills to launch and grow your own business?” With a fantastic audience and super interesting fellow panellists, the talk, hosted by Polly Williams at the award winning Camberyard, was engaging and informative with great tips on how to turn great design into a thriving and sustainable business.

We discussed our personal experience in managing a business that collaborates directly with interior designers, and how effective these partnerships are.  Our services at OPL incorporate technical drawings, accompanying production from conception to final details, both in upholstery and furniture pieces, allowing our interior designer clients to work with one single supplier for an entire project. This way, the interior designer has in us a partner that takes a lot of the pressure off them,  being more available to look after their clients and generate new sales. Other points discussed were how  to develop the business USP, have  organised accounts and  how do you find your target market through social media, marketing, networking and branding.

Our brands’ presence in the various trade shows is always really exciting to see. From new collection launches to fabulous stands, this year was full of success stories.

//  Delightfull

100% Design September 2017 was a tremendous success! With this year’s theme ‘Elements’, DelightFULL showcased the best lighting pieces representing the craftsmanship and materials involved in the production of its unique lamps. ,DelightFULL’s inspirations continue to bring a unique atmosphere to their stands, with jazz music, the blues, mid-century and vintage style really bringing each piece to life.

//  Duistt

Duistt, a Portuguese furniture brand specialising in upholstery, is well known for designing the fabulous Julius armchairs and a revival of the iconic Wormley Chair designed by Edward Wormley. A regular on the London trade show scene, Duistt exhibited at Decorex for the first time this year. Launching a new collection with pieces like the Ray coffee table, Appolo armchair, and the Rocket table lamp, the brand showcased its very sophisticated and high-end pieces where attention to detail is key.

//  Bow & Arrow

For the 4th consecutive year, Bow and Arrow’s presence at 100% design was a huge success! In a eye catching stand, the brand launched beautiful new pieces, with the Copa Swivel armchair and the Wood I and Wood II amongst our favourites. With an established name in the finest upholstery, this brand is now starting a furniture line, the Elegance sideboard being a fine example of expert craftsmanship. We can’t wait to see the rest of the collection!

On a more general note, we absolutely loved the Bloomon Installation at Granary Square showcasing exquisite blooms direct from Dutch fields, flower delivery service Bloomon created a whimsical walk-through in Granary Square, King’s Cross. Adorned with foliage inside and out, the walk consisted of a tunnel with a canopy of flowers with a pastel coloured passageway. Closed at one end with a hidden door, this a flower-filled room hosted intimate floral workshops and talks, providing intrigue and inspiration.

Another very interesting event was The Set in Stone at the Design Museum, Kensington, a selection of works by eight designers who have been invited to explore the potential of marble and limestone. Displayed across the museum both inside and out, it included items for public use such as seating by our fantastic Portuguese artist and architect Eduardo Souto de Moura, graphic pieces by Sagmeister & Walsh and domestic objects by Jasper Morrison and Michael Anastassiades. An investigation into the qualities of stone and the technical means through which it is cut and shaped , it explored how millions of years of formation produces unique and unrepeatable patterns.

What a fabulous time we had, we can’t wait for London Design week 2018!

mm
Ana & Renata
info@kassavello.com

We are wives, mums, best friends of 25 years and we share a passion for interiors and furniture design. Despite living in two different countries, we decided to embark on the adventure of creating a business together and we are loving it!

No Comments

Post A Comment