(UK) – With exactly 12 months to go, the official countdown for London Design Fair 2023 was celebrated at a launch party at Truman Brewery, in the heart of Shoreditch last week.

Key figures from the design community gathered in anticipation of the iconic fair’s return to the international design calendar and to discover exciting plans for the 2023 event.

The launch party was attended by over 90 guests, including leading designers, media and brands such as Dezeen, Damian Marcus Burrows Architects,  Farrow & Ball, Heals and Crafts Council and many more. 

Last held in 2019, London Design Fair has become one of the key cornerstones of London Design Festival and is known by many as the premier trade destination during the annual festival. Demonstrating the strong partnership between the Festival and Fair, Ben Evans OBE, Founder and Director of the London Design Festival, spoke at the launch party and comments: “London Design Fair is an important platform for a wide array of design businesses both domestic and international. A successful Festival needs strong events like the Fair and I welcome its return.”

Commenting at the launch party, Jane Langley, CEO and Founder of sustainable directory Blue Patch says: “London Design Fair is about everyone coming together. It’s not just about meeting prospective clients, specifiers, interior designers, and speaking to other designers, it’s also about our member brands speaking to and meeting each other. We’re absolutely thrilled to be back as this is our favourite event on the calendar. London Design Fair has a sensational atmosphere and we love the team that runs it. Fantastic that it’s back!”

“London Design Fair is the must-go destination during London Design Week. A considered curation of established and up-and-coming designers and brands, which reflects the talent and creativity of homegrown and international talent. I look forward to visiting next year!” says Sabina Miller, Buying Director, Heals.

“Since Covid, it’s just great to see the return of the fair. I’m looking forward to seeing new innovation, some new design, and new creativity. I’m involved in the hospitality sector, so I’m interested to see what trends will come out of the fair, and get inspired rather than come in with any expectations! It’s important for the industry to attend London Design Fair because it’s a time to celebrate and bond again over design at these kinds of events,” says Jay Morjaria, Chef Consultant & Restauranteur. 

“London Design Fair is the place to bring the design industry together. Attending or having a stand is a good opportunity to meet new buyers, schools, and designers from all over the world, and meet new people to collaborate with,” says Karolina Suchanek, textile designer, Cave Textiles.  

Annie Lindsell, Event Director for London Design Fair, was delighted with the response from the launch party, commenting, “It’s fantastic being back after three years of enforced hibernation due to the pandemic.  We have had so much support and encouragement from so many people, to whom the London Design Fair has become their most important event of the year.”  

She continues “being part of London Design Fair is being part of something unique. It’s a movement.  It’s a passion. It’s a feeling.  It’s about inspiring the design community and stimulating debate.  But above all, it’s about providing a sales and marketing platform for companies involved in great design. Design which enhances domestic and commercial interiors, as well as personal lifestyles.  Over the coming months, we will be announcing several new initiatives, including the new Design Talks and the new THINK. Stage, new feature areas and the most inspirational speaker line-up to date.”   

London Design Fair will return to the Truman Brewery, London, on 21-24 September 2023. 

www.londondesignfair.co.uk