A BEAUTIFUL DESIGN EXPERIENCE, HEAD TO HEART TO TOE

Head in the spectacular clouds, feet in some killer shoes on ground, that’s how we experienced this year’s London Design Festival. We’ve rounded up 10 top design experiences to delight your mind with possibilities for both your mind and body.

1. HEARTBEAT

If you were to immerse in a cumulus cloud, composed of 100,000 glowing white balloons, your heart might start to beat a bit differently.

French artist and photographer Charles Pétillion aimed to capture the hearts of LDF attendees with his Covent Garden installation, entitled Heartbeat.

Pétillion is known for his use of white balloons to fill unusual spaces, a photographic series he refers to as Invasions. This is by far his largest installation to date and his first public art piece.

Heartbeat spans 54 meters long and 12 meters wide. The white lights inside the balloons pulsate, like a beating heart.

2. THE CLOAKROOM

Faye Toogood’s two-part installation at the V&A during LDF, entitled, The Cloakroom, began with a tour through an actual cloakroom, where 150 of the artist’s coats stood ready to be taken out for a stroll through the museum.

Each coat was equipped with a sewn-in map that guided people to a series of sculptural garments created by Toogood, inspired by nearby objects from the Museum’s collection – from a 15th century timber-panelled room to a shining suit of armour.

3. ANDREW LOGAN

Andrew Logan is one of a select group of members of the Society of Designer Craftsmen selected to participate at LDF’s Designed|Crafted showcase. We love his edgy organic jewelry designs, as do top designers, designers from Ungaro to Comme des Garcons.

We got our hearts set on the abalone and glass brooch on display.

4. JIANHUL -- THE NEXT PASHMINA -- WOOD

The Next Pashmina – Wood, designed by Jianhui, is made of hundreds of ethically sourced pieces of tiny light-weight wood, which, when draped together around your neck, can keep you warm. It was on display at Gabriel’s Wharf at LDF.

5. POMELLATO AT MALLETT

It might have been casually draped across the top of an armoire at the Mallett Design House, but if it were your neck, you’d know the Tango Rose Gold and Diamond Necklace, by Pomellato, was up to something pretty significant.

A marriage of 18th century techniques with 21st century design, it’s the perfect thing to wear to Mallett Antiques’ 150th birthday celebration.

6. SPINE

“Electricity carries and translates human intent into action... both around us and within us.”

Two formidable spine structures sat within the Stamp stairwell at Somerset House at LDF that seemed to have a life of their own, as light pulsed along each one. SPINE, the interactive installation, by Nassia Inglessis, fuses the digital and physical world.

Imagine impulses traveling through your nervous system to your brain, as you watch 130 LED bulbs pulse in succession. It’s very cool.

7. CATCHPOLE & RYE

Catchpole and Rye launched their new collection of copper and nickel bateau baths at their London flagship showroom during LDF.

The exquisite finishes gild an exceptionally crafted lily. What a beautiful place to take a long and lovely soak.

8. WHAT IS LUXURY?

“What is Luxury?” was a question asked at the V&A Crafts Council Exhibition at LDF, sponsored by Northacre. Well, the 18th century Portuguese gold crown, encrusted with gold, diamonds, emeralds, and rubies, on display is but one answer.

9. UNITED NUDE

United Nude founder Rem D Koolhaas gathered other top architects and designers, such as Zaha Hadid, Ben van Berkel, Fernando Romero, and designers Ross Lovegrove and Michael Young, to create pairs of women's shoes solely using 3D printing.

10. SHOES: PLEASURE AND PAIN

Shoes: Pleasure and Pain, on exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum during LDF, looks at the extremes of footwear from around the globe, presenting around 200 pairs of shoes, from ancient pure gold leafed sandals to contemporary fancies. Sponsored by Clarks.

Read more about Beautiful Design, as it relates to Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact, including The Best Eclectic Finds at the 2015 London Design Festival, The Most Beautiful Curiosities Now, Extraordinary Designs to Grace Your Dining Table Now, 10 Gorgeous Design Finds at London Design Festival 2015 and The Most Beautifully Designed Places at LDF2015.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: Courtesy of The London Design Festival. Photo: by Paul Grover. Heartbeat, by Charles Pétillion. Covent Garden. London.
2. Image: Courtesy of The London Design Festival. Photo: by Paul Grover. Heartbeat, by Charles Pétillion. Covent Garden. London.
3. Image: Courtesy of The London Design Festival. Photo: by Paul Grover. Heartbeat, by Charles Pétillion. Covent Garden. London.
4. Image: Courtesy of The London Design Festival. The Cloakroom, by Faye Toogood. Victoria & Albert Museum. London.
5. Image: Courtesy of The London Design Festival. The Cloakroom, by Faye Toogood. Victoria & Albert Museum. London.
6. Image: Courtesy of The London Design Festival. Abalone and Glass Brooch, by Andrew Logan.
7. Image: Courtesy of The London Design Festival. The Next Pashmina - Wood, by Jianhui.
8. Image: Courtesy of The London Design Festival. Tango Rose Gold and Diamond Necklace, by Pomellato.
9. Image: Courtesy of The London Design Festival. SPINE, by Nassia Inglessis.
10. Image: Courtesy of The London Design Festival. SPINE, by Nassia Inglessis.
11. Image: Courtesy of The London Design Festival. Nickel Bateau Bath, by Catchpole and Rye.
12. Image: Courtesy of The London Design Festival. Portuguese Gold Crown.  
13. Image: Courtesy of The London Design Festival. Flames, by Zaha Hadid.
14. Image: Courtesy of London Design Festival. High & Mighty shoot for American Vogue © Estate of Helmut Newton / Maconochie Photography.
15. Image: Courtesy of The London Design Festival. The Cloakroom, by Faye Toogood. Victoria & Albert Museum. London.
16. Image: Courtesy of The London Design Festival. The Cloakroom, by Faye Toogood. Victoria & Albert Museum. London.
17. Image: by BN App - Download now!
18. Image: Courtesy of The London Design Festival. The Cloakroom, by Faye Toogood. Victoria & Albert Museum. London.