Best In Show
“All shows should be judged by their content and not their hype. As such I was overwhelmed by the efforts of our exhibitors’ truly amazing content. The show felt super international with exhibitors from 27 countries; telling in the range and quality of the pieces and products on show. Whether you were specifying for a project, buying for a store or simply soaking it up, there was so much to see.
I particularly loved our huge Super Design Gallery in its exciting new format. I'm also looking forward to adding two new halls in 2014 for more country showcases. See you next year!”
Jimmy MacDonald, Founder & Director of Tent London
Furniture Gets Independent
Independent furniture makers are one of the most exciting developments in the UK at the moment, with collections that embrace traditional British craftsmanship and regional diversity. Tent London has long supported and nurtured these designers and this year collections on show revealed an increased confidence and maturity.
Super Brands Builds
The idea of creating a series of temporary show rooms for established global brands has really resonated with big name manufacturers around the world. So this edition brought together an enviable mix of names including Edra, Ginger & Jagger, Ligne Roset, Gubi Jacuzzi and BoConcept, among others. Stand out pieces included a voluptuous new sofa from Munna in on trend navy blue, Front’s raucous floral carpets designed by Jan Kath, Mineheart’s subverted historical portrait motifs and Objekten’s clever office and storage solutions.
International Pavilions
Bringing a welter of international talent to London, the show’s international pavilions brought a new understanding of the sheer breadth of global talent out there; Taiwan, Norway, Ireland, China and Hungary were all well represented.
Happy Anniversary
Britain’s love affair with Norwegian design continues unabated into its 10th year with a timely anniversary retrospective from 100% Norway, ably illustrating the integrity and quality of work from Norwegian designers, both established and up and coming. To further mark the occasion the stamp of royal approval was given, when Queen Sonja of Norway visited the show; Her Majesty seen above in the KHiB With Friends exhibition in Tent London.
Super Inspiration
What makes a good show? A careful balance between content and inspiration. The idea behind the Super Design Gallery is to facilitate an opportunity for visitors to see a collection of directional, experimental, low volume pieces in a tightly curated collection.
Crafts Council of Ireland
Craft remained a strong underlying theme at LDF and Vernacular was the stand out craft show that everyone was talking about. The exhibition featured work from Ireland that celebrated indigenous materials and processes. This was no gift shop pastiche, instead an intelligent, forward thinking approach to design made for authenticity and a strong narrative, all essential for craft to throw off any anachronistic associations.
Successful Super Talks
London was full of the sound of talking heads during LDF so it says something that the Super Talks programme Mobilised was packed throughout the show. Curated by Dani Admiss and Keinton Butler, the success of the talks may have had something to do with the integrative approach taken, plus the sheer variety of subject matter from debates on intellectual property to discussions on the death of cash.
"Super Talks 2013 was a dynamic and insightful four days, bringing together a wide-range of speakers and visitors to debate topical issues, both in the industry and more broadly in the design ether. Stimulating and, at times, provocative, it was a great success!" Dani Admiss.
Future Talent
There’s no doubt that LDF is sadly lacking a proper forum for graduate design. Step in Brink, curated by Confessions of A Design Geek’s Katie Treggiden. With a sharp, eye catching green and white format and carefully selected work from nine talented designers from all over the country, this proved to be the perfect calling card for the show’s official launch in 2014.
"Tent is different from other shows because it's run by people who are passionate about creating the best possible experience for exhibitors and therefore for visitors. I loved working with Tent on the Brink preview this year and I'm really looking forward to launching the full show with them next year,” Katie Treggiden.
“A standout destination during LDF 2013, the energised Tent and Super Brands are firmly on my style radar for a strong edit of inspiring international exhibitors and ready for business up and comers.”
Emilio Pimentel-Reid, award-winning stylist / lifestyle editor.