Clerkenwell Design Week 2025

Clerkenwell is home to more creative businesses and architects per square mile than anywhere else in the world. It’s no surprise, then, that Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) has become a globally recognised platform for the design community to come together in a dynamic celebration of architecture, interiors, and innovation. Now in its 14th edition, CDW 2025 promises an expanded programme of events, installations, and exhibitions, cementing its reputation as the UK’s leading independent design festival.

Taking place from 20-22 May, CDW will once again transform Clerkenwell’s historic streets, repurposing its unique architectural space, from subterranean vaults to Victorian warehouses, into immersive design destinations. With over 600 showroom events, 15 curated exhibitions, and a vibrant fringe programme, the festival offers unparalleled opportunities for discovery and dialogue across the design spectrum.

Visitors can expect to explore the latest in furniture, lighting, textiles, surfaces, and product design from both established global brands and up-and-coming talents. This year’s curated exhibitions will span iconic venues such as the House of Detention, Spa Fields, and The Goldsmiths’ Centre, each reimagined to host cutting-edge displays and thought-provoking installations.

A core feature of CDW’s appeal is its rich programme of talks and debates. Conversations at Clerkenwell, curated by PR and Brand Consultant Katie Richardson, returns with a compelling series of panels and interviews that reflect the evolving design landscape. The 2025 programme opens with a headline conversation between celebrated Dutch artist and designer Sabine Marcelis and design writer Alice Morby, promising insights into Marcelis’ distinctive approach to materiality, form, and artistic expression.

Another highlight of this year’s event is the exclusive artwork created by Kapitza Studio, the London-based artist duo known for their bold use of colour and pattern. Their work will feature in the festival’s central auditorium space, providing a vibrant visual anchor to the programme and a symbol of CDW’s commitment to creativity across disciplines.

For professionals in architecture and design, CDW is more than an exhibition, it’s a chance to engage with peers, clients, and collaborators in a uniquely inspiring environment. The Design Meets programme brings together industry associations, thought leaders, and innovators to tackle key themes, from sustainability and material innovation to inclusivity and the future of urban design.

Alongside the professional programming, CDW also celebrates the social side of design. Visitors can enjoy pop-up food and drink experiences, street installations, live music, and after-hours events throughout the three-day festival. Whether attending a product launch, networking over cocktails, or simply exploring Clerkenwell’s cobbled alleys, there’s something to engage every kind of design enthusiast.

As the design world converges on Clerkenwell this May, CDW 2025 offers an essential snapshot of where the industry is heading, driven by innovation, informed by dialogue, and rooted in one of London’s most architecturally rich neighbourhoods.

Article submitted by Clerkenwell Design Week