Brand Creative’s Top 5 Picks at the London Design Fair 2019

November 03, 2019

On th 20th of September, we visited the fourth edition of London Design Fair 2019 at Old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch. London Design Fair features 500 exhibitors from over 28 countries, ranging from global brands, start-up studios, and country pavilions.

 

Amongst all of the amazing brands and booths, here are our top five favourites that truly captured our attention as being unique, sustainable and close-to-home:

 

SABER HACER

Argentina-based Saber Hacer displays various animal heads called Chane masks - made of palo santo wood which are hand crafted and painted, producing amazing animal busts. Supported by Argentine Crafts and Design Program, Saber Hacer aims to “generate work from the diverse, rich and broad know-how of Argentinians’ beautiful territory” by creating sustainable development for small artisan communities in producing soulful design pieces.  

Aside from Chane masks, they also produce bags, lamps, fabrics and accessories, all hand-crafted and using natural resources in their environment.

 

These group of artisans believed that an identity in this globalized world is very important, which brings them to their maxim – “Back to the origin – to drink from tradition and transpire contemporaneity.”

 

EDWARD BULMER NATURAL PAINT

Edward Bulmer Natural Paint is a collection of natural paints designed by a British interior designer and architectural historian Edward Bulmer. It offers eco-friendly paints made from naturally occurring raw materials of plant origin like linseed oil, or from mineral raw materials like chalk, earth and mineral pigments – with no plastic binders, nasty chemicals and harmful VOCs. With these properties, it reduced indoor air pollution and makes walls breathe naturally. Using 12 natural earth and mineral pigments, they are able to produce a wide range of colours, from neutral shades to bright hues.

 

VIAPLANT

Based in Hungary, Viaplant started as an art project back in 2015, and eventually became an independent brand that offers composite panel made of locally-sourced synthetic resin and plant parts, with light-transmitting  and frost-proof properties. Viaplant uses only the renewable plant parts (leaves and flowers) with regeneration cycle of one (1) year or less to minimize environmental load. Each panels are unique due to natural ingredients, hand-picking and processing.

 

With its visually appealing effect and organic textures, it can be used in various interior design applications such as light diffuser, furniture, wall panels, artwork, etc. Available in matte and glossy finish, these panels are also UV-resistant, scratch-resistant, water-resistant and fire-resistant as well.

 

 

MEAN MAIL

Mean Mail is a UK-based brand that makes cards which have messages that are truthful and straight-to-the point instead of formal and polite, just like how best friends talk to each other without filters. It started when its creator, Vicky Simmons, cannot find the suitable Valentine Day cards for her relationship then. Since its launch in 2017, they now offer cards for every occasion with subjective and brutal meanings. These cards are also environmentally-friendly as they uses locally-sourced materials and biodegradable packaging.

 

IRTHI CONTEMPORARY CRAFTS COUNCIL

We are delighted that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the chosen country for this year’s Guest Country Pavilion, represented by Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council and the NAMA Woman Advancement Establishment, an organisation that was established under an Amiri decree by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and is chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah. Its mission is to empower women practicing crafts by providing new market opportunities and vocational training and accessing sustainable markets while preserving the country’s cultural heritage.

 

The group debuts their 12 exclusive collections: four (4) from “Crafts Dialogue” programme, and eight (8)  from Design Labs - made from traditional crafting techniques, including home décor, furniture, jewellery, hand bags, perfume bottles, and more – all hand made by Emirati artisans. Some notable works include safeefah (basket weaving), talli (bobbin lace weaving) and traditional sand casting.

 

Aside from the product exhibition, the whole pavilion itself was designed to evoke the UAE natural landscape using wood, camel leather and neutral color scheme.

 

We hope to be able to visit next years’ edition again, as well as other design exhibitions outside the Middle East region, to be able to explore fresh design ideas and innovative trends.

 

 

 

 

 

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