For the first time in its 21-year history, the London Design Festival is coming to Hackney.
The event, which takes place from September 16 till the 24th, will include a trail from Dalston to Stoke Newington and printers, artists, menders and other creatives will be among those running workshops and exhibitions.
Abi Meats, founder of Everyday Sunshine and Rude Studios in Nevill Road, is coordinating this new local District.
She said: “I’ve always gone to the Design Festival. This event draws an international audience but what I love about it most is that Londoners travel out of their boroughs to other boroughs.
“Footfall over the weekend will be increased by around 10 per cent here.
“The point is to celebrate diversity, creativity and the amazing design ethos in Hackney. There are so many creative businesses and studios; so many brilliant gems. It’s amazing to celebrate that and to bring that creative community together for this and other events.”
Launched by Sir John Sorrell CBE and Ben Evans CBE in 2003, the London Design Festival promotes the city’s position as a powerhouse for the creative industries. The event, which has 13 districts, typically attracts more than 600,000 visitors from around the world.
Heidi Early, Chair of Stoke Newington Business Association, said: “We are thrilled that this prestigious event is coming to Stokey. This area deserves to be recognised as an exciting destination full of creatives who truly care about sustainability. We hope that being a District in the London Design Festival, will help people from all over London and from further afield discover this brilliant area.”
Among the local businesses taking part are Tower Theatre, screen-printing gurus The Print Club in Dalston, there’ll be private tours of All Press Roastery, which occupies a former joiner’s factory as well as workshops from French Workwear. Abi’s corner of Nevill and Barbauld Road will be a hive of activity; with workshops, andcreative sessions for children.
Stokey Popup will be hosting a special day of eco design on Saturday 23rd Sep, with free activities for kids of all ages. It's a collaboration between Kindhaus (a members club combining childcare and workspace) and designer Lewis Kane. Admission is free and you can reserve a place here.
Other businesses taking part include Know & Love, Wrap Magazine, Atom Gallery, Tower Theatre, Print Club London, Absorb Art Studio, Praxis N16 Ltd, Molten 1090, Opificium, Allpress Expresso, LF Markey, Hackney Studios.
The event has been supported with a £5,000 grant from Hackney Council, which has helped subsidise the entrance fees for some exhibitors.
Events include:
Tower Through the Years (a celebration of 10 years of Tower Theatre) with custom installations.
Childplay Design Day at Stokey Popup with Kindhaus and designer Lewis Kane. Saturday 23rd Sep. Creative play workshops 12 - 4pm; Live music, exhibition and social event 4pm - late. Free admission, reserve your place here.
Workshops on dried flower arrangements, terrarium making and fragrance blending at Know and Love
Rude Studios are holding a series of children's workshops on costume, illustration, footwear and graphic design.
For updates, visit www.dalstontostokeydesigndistrict.com