The Longest Stay Diary - Clerkenwell Design Week May 2016

After Salone del Mobile in Milano and Maison d' Objet in Paris this year you really feel like you have seen it all. That was until I went to Clerkenwell Design week in London and I have to say attending this show is one of my favourites. The main reasons are that it is very manageable and also wonderfully unique. You walk the different areas of Clerkenwell and attend all the different halls like Platform, Design Fields, Icon House of Culture and then wander around the showrooms scattered throughout different areas that are flowing with prosecco and new collections. You can do this over two days with ease. Of course I visited our current brands such as Poltrona Frau, Moroso, Thonet, and Bert Frank in the exhibitions and in their showrooms. 

I attended the evening bash at Moroso where I had the privilege of speaking to Patrizia Moroso for a good part of my evening. Not only is she such an amazing designer but a role model for women in business. At a young age she created a contemporary furniture brand in Italy and set the stage for other brands to follow creating a movement for Italian design.  When no one thought a woman had that potential back in the 1952 she showed them. We discussed equality and shared both our journeys as we strive to bring the appreciation of design through the best pieces of furniture to the world. I also enjoyed the Poltrona Frau party on Thursday night at the showroom and seeing such a good team behind it. Meeting great architects at these events is on top of my list and looking to collaborate on projects with Qatari Diar, Bond Bryan Architects and many others is what really sets sparks. Taking on new brands such as Dedon for outdoor, part of our Gloster parent brand, and finding new brands such as the workshop-mm.com at the British Collection, who make the most exquisite desksor Channels chairs which are timeless and of the highest quality really inspires me. Walking downstairs into the old jail now converted for the Platform exhibition I found some great artisans such as Best&Lloyd lighting and Matar's tables in Design Fields exhibition hall. 

I crashed a talk given by Tom Dixon in the British Collection church. A press pass can go quite far I must say. His installation was made up of impressive chandeliers and funky lights combined with a few tables and objects throughout the beautiful church. You have to give him credit that he is able to constantly create iconic pieces and build upon his brand so well. Overall such a positive show and a fun and successful one for The Longest Stay. We try and never miss a show to make sure we support our brands and find new partners while enjoying lots of prosecco along the way.