London Design Festival 2026 Announces First Programme

The London Design Festival 2026, running from 12 to 20 September, has unveiled its initial programme, featuring commissions that explore craft, artificial intelligence, migration, ecology, and cultural exchange. The inaugural Landmark Project, 'The Pangolin Shield' by Studio Saar and Atelier One, is a bamboo pavilion on the Strand inspired by pangolin scales and traditional Indian woven shields, prompting reflection on colonial histories. At the Barbican, designer Miriam Howitt presents a new collection of furniture, lighting, and textiles based on archival research of the estate's original interiors. The V&A's commission 'Awakenings', curated by Carrie Chan and Kristian Volsing, includes works by Aziza Kadyri, Eunjo Lee, and Henry Svendsen, addressing sound, identity, AI, and nature. The Design Museum features a retrospective on Japanese designer NIGO, Simone Brewster's 'Platform' installation, and a discussion on design and motherhood with Jasmi Hussein, Emefa Cole, and Hettie Judah. The Craft x Tech Tokai Project showcases collaborations between Japanese artisans and designers Bethan Laura Wood, David Caon, and Philippe Malouin in ceramics, washi paper, lacquer, textiles, and woodworking. MixZ presents two exhibitions at the V&A and Old Selfridges Hotel, highlighting Dehua porcelain and immersive technologies with AI.