Show Review 2011

2011  Entrance on Brick Lane (photo: Scarlet Opus)

The outstanding mix of international design companies showing their latest products and concepts at Tent London and Super Brands London 2011 was broader than ever this year. With 224 exhibitors (125 more than in 2010!), the floors were awash with the most eclectic range of high-end furniture, lighting, accessories and installations yet.

Whether established global brands such as Allemuir and Gloster offering sleek pieces for large-scale architectural projects, or the original work of just discovered designers being snapped up for cool, new restaurant and boutique hotel out-fits, galleries or film sets; the high quality and quantity of content at Tent London was vast.

Jan Plecháč, Icons stand & visitors

Highlights this year included Anthony Hartley’s mouth watering candy coloured furniture, DCW’s classic Lampe Gras lighting and Ivanka’s striking concrete seating, accessories and handbags; resulting in Ivanka winning the Director’s Award of £1000 for the 'Best Stand in Show'.

Invanka stand

Image L to R: Anthony Hartley stand (photo: Steve Collins) & DCW's stand with Lampegras lights

The design cognoscenti filled the aisles; with Ron Arad, Tricia Guild, Li Edelkoort and Nigel Coates, alongside buyers from Liberty, Harvey Nichols, Paul Smith, Anthropologie, SCP and representatives from David Collins, Michaelis Boyd, Foster + Partners, John Pawson and Zaha Hadid Architects. Others within the international design industry came from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Qatar, South Africa, as well as from across Europe, with overseas visitors making up 16% of the audience.

Overall 19,802 interior designers, architects, specifiers, manufacturers, retailers, curators and design-savvy shoppers visited and the event buzzed with activity as lucrative orders and commissions were placed with exhibitors.

Freshwest Cafe & Bar

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‘Tent was the perfect platform for our brand during the London Design Festival, associating the Allermuir name alongside some highly talented designers. The show exposed us to an audience who are making a difference within the design industry today. There was a great atmosphere over the whole 4 days and we are looking forward to 2012 already,’ Robin Bayliss, Sales Director, Allermuir.

‘We were set to launch in Asia first and were using Tent to gauge the Western market. As a result of the outstanding reaction to our product at Tent, we are seriously considering launching in the UK ahead of our scheduled Asian launch’. Kieron Scott Woodhouse, Head Designer, ADZero

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Super Brands London in the Boiler House

Super Brands London was exceptionally well received, with 75% of the international brands so pleased with the reaction to their products and launches, they are already planning to return in 2012. This new business design event, which featured seventeen of the world’s best consumer and design brands including Bang & Olufsen, Moroso, Prooff, Flos and Valcucine, further developed Tent London’s position as a major design hub during the London Design Festival. In 2012 Super Brands London will return with a larger space and expanded exhibitor offering, with further international premier product launches.

The Chevrolet / Quinze & Milan stand at Super Brands London

The comprehensive Talks programme of architects, designers and design managers at Super Brands London was another success. Speakers included Patrizia Moroso (Art Director, Moroso), Ben van Berkel (Co-founder and principal architect, UNStudio Amsterdam Shanghai) and Gitta Gshwendtner (Designer and Artist), who shared their experiences and chaired discussions with captivated audiences.

Image L to R: Brands & Designers Talk with Patrizia Moroso & Jerry Helling; Erba Italia & Moroso stands

‘The Brands & Designers talk by Jovan Jelovac was my favourite event in the whole festival; really in depth and interesting and very well chaired!’, Debbie Jedwab, Senior Lecturer, Product Design & Engineering, Middlesex University.

Remastered by Intel

Elsewhere, the other Tent gallery events around the Brewery attracted much interest. One of the highlights was Silent Revolutions: Contemporary Design in Slovenia, who chose London to premier their stunning collection internationally, and discussed opportunities with dignitaries and design professionals from Brazil, Chile, Japan, Europe and USA.

Image L to R: Iztok Jarc, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia UK at Silent Revolutions;  Colourful Life exhibition

Tent London is a hotbed of ideas, inspiration and innovation and plans for 2012 are already underway. Watch this space for further developments…