London Design Festival 2016: everything you need to know

Now in its 14th year, the London Design Festival looks set to be its biggest yet, with hundreds of products launches, new creative spaces and imaginative installations across the capital's seven official design districts...
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From September 17 - 25, London Design Festival 2016 will take place across the capital with five major design shows hosting over 400 events, installations and exhibitions in landmark locations and seven designated design districts.

The annual event, now in its 14th year, showcases the best in British and international design. Here's what you need to know...

The major design shows to watch out for:

100% Design: a contemporary design trade show at Olympia London, from September 21 - 24. Running alongside it is LuxuryMade, a new boutique exhibition in West Kensington for contemporary decorative interiors, held at Kensington Olympia’s Pillar and Upper Pillar Halls. It's open to the public on September 24, tickets cost £15.

Decorex International: held in the grounds of Syon Park, from September 18-21, showcasing high-end interior designers, retailers and work by more than 400 exhibitors. Open to traders and, on September 20, the general public. Tickets cost £30.

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Designjunction: taking place from September 22 - 25 in its new home in Granary Square, King's Cross, and alongside the newly-created King's Cross Creative Quarter. Eight purpose-built, monopoly-style houses will be on display, featuring the latest developments and trends in furniture, technology and contemporary lighting. Plus there'll be pop-up stalls and design workshops. A main project will be 'Dyslexic Design' which will showcase selected designers' works in support of the British Dyslexia Association. Tickets bought online cost £12.

Focus/16: at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, the show will host over 100 events, demonstrations and workshops to inspire visitors in the fabulous south-west London setting. A free event, from September 18 23, the first four days are trade-only.

London Design Fair: marking its 10th anniversary, this year will be the fair's biggest yet - growing to include an additional floor at the Old Truman Brewery in East London from September 22 - 25. The event will host new and established design brands and, after two trade-only days, members of the public can visit on September 24 and 25. Tickets bought online cost £10.

Designersblock: now in its 19th year, this event showcases independent designers, featuring furniture, lighting, textiles, jewellery, architecture, and interactive design. It's free, from September 21-25, but you have to register in advance at www.verydesignersblock.com.

V&A Museum: hosting a series of free talks, workshops and exhibitions during the festival, the V&A Museum in South Kensington is a must-visit. There's a late night opening on Friday September 23.

The official design districts:

The capital is being split into seven concentrated "design districts", each area will be open until late on a designated night during the week.

Clerkenwell will host creative events, in settings including showrooms and pop-ups to restaurants and bars. Check out the design quarter map for hidden studios, design gems and one-off events highlighting new collections in furniture, lighting, jewellery and textiles. Tuesday 20 September is the late night opening. ​

Returning for its third year, Islington design district brings together design-led shops, showrooms and cafes. Walk from Amwell Street, south of Angel, to Camden Passage and along Upper Street to discover new designers and one-off exhibitions. Late night opening is on Tuesday 20 September.

Hosted by the creative companies that work in the Shoreditch Design Triangle, there's enough in this district to keep you entertained for hours. Head over on Tuesday 20 September for the late night opening and make sure to check out The Ace Hotel on the high street, a designated hub for meeting people, relaxing and gathering festival information...

Bankside design district is now in its second year, one of two festival design hubs south of the river and home to many galleries and design studios year-round. Look out for the pop-up sign painting school and calligraphy workshops at Borough Market. The area's late opening night is on Wednesday 21 September.

Chelsea design quarter takes in the area around the southern end of King's Road, along Lots Road and towards Imperial Wharf. It's one of London's most diverse design hubs, with contemporary and classic interiors specialists concentrated in one area. There will be workshops and talks throughout the week, with Monday 19 September the designated late night opening.

With Tom Dixon among the leading international designers to have originated from this district, Brompton has been the setting for many iconic design exhibitions over the past decade. Now in its tenth year as an official design district, Brompton will host glass-making presentations and workshops as part of its "Breathless" programme, among other installations. Thursday 22 September is the late night opening.

Brixton is the festival's newest design district. All the creative displays, installations and events in the town centre will fall under the umbrella theme of "Rebel Rebel" - a homage to one of the world's design icons, Brixton-born David Bowie. Head over on Friday 23 September for the late night opening.