Buying into New U.K. Design Talent

Disposable newspaper dresses, lights made out of sheep stomachs, barbed wire decorated with butterflies: is this the future of design? Yes, according to London’s Design Museum. “Design Mart,” an exhibit held from Sept. 23-26 in the museum’s new Space, featured 15 up-and-coming furniture and product designers showing—and selling—their wares. The group, chosen by an advisory panel that included Ron Arad, Tord Boontje, Tom Dixon, Michael Marriott, Jasper Morrison, and Marc Newson, also competed for five 10,000 pound bursaries from the independent Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

Recycling, reappropriation, and social commentary were recurring themes in the exhibit, which was held in conjunction with the London Design Festival and 100% Design trade show. Below are some of Design Mart’s finer moments.