The UK’s reputation for exemplary design and quality craftsmanship will come to the fore at the four-day event, with leading designers and craftspeople supplying goods to showcase at the Festival.
Hosted by the Department for International Trade, the GREAT Festival of Innovation aims to boost trading links between the UK and Asian nations. Featured designers include:
– Michael Young: Hong Kong-based British industrial furniture designer, whose award-winning work spans everything from chairs and taps to watches and beach buggies. Among his innovative designs is the lightweight aluminium City Bike for Giant, which includes integrated LED lights and steel cord locking system.
– Robert Welch: Based in the Cotswolds – the historic heart of the UK’s Arts and Crafts movement - the business (which began in 1955) produces high-quality kitchenware. Welch, a major name in British mid-century design, pioneered the use of stainless steel for mass-produced cutlery.
– Anglepoise: Festival guests will be able to see the giant floor-standing version of its famous Original 1227 desk lamp, which was specially commissioned in honour of British writer Roald Dahl. The much-lover author famously composed much of his work to the light a 1227 lamp in his writing hut.
– Alexandra Llewellyn: The London-based designer of luxury backgammon boards and gaming tables is a hit with style mags. The hand-made boards, richly inlaid and painted, demonstrate the best in British craftsmanship.
– Parris Wakefield: Graphic designers Sarah Parris and Howard Wakefield are famed for their bold and colourful textiles which can be used throughout the home. Based in Mellis, Suffolk
– Innermost: Quirky lighting and furniture from designers Russell Cameron and Steve Jones. The pair retail from a shop and studio in London’s iconic OXO Tower, and have a manufacturing base in Telford, Shropshire
– Christopher Duffy: Duffy’s bespoke, hand-made furniture that plays with the concepts of gravity and illusion. Studios are in East London.
The event will feature a packed conference programme looking at how innovation will shape the way we will live, work, play and learn in the years to come. Meanwhile, a host of British companies will have the opportunity to showcase their work, presenting the UK as one of the world’s best places to visit, study, invest in and do business.
Other big names in the creative arts field speaking at the Festival include John Kampfner, chief executive of the Creative Industries Federation; Susanna Lau, founder of Style Bubble; Paul Thompson, vice-chancellor of the Royal College of Art; award-winning transport designer Paul Priestman and Tea Uglow, creative director of Google Creative Lab.
Specially-invited UK business leaders the chance to meet counterparts from across Asia to discuss possible future trading and investment opportunities.
