Why do so many design lovers feel closed off from collectors’ fairs?
The entry fee is rarely much more than a big-name exhibition, there’s little pressure to buy and you won’t be shuffling around with the masses at the latest sell-out show.
If you want to go away this spring, I say plan your city break around one of Europe’s coolest fairs. Brussels, Amsterdam and Milan all have their flagship events in March and April, so now is the time to book if you want to see the best.
Closer to home? Designer retrospectives, the latest in contemporary craft and classes aplenty. See you there.
1. Unravel: The Power and Politics of Textiles in Art, Barbican
It’s not all cushion covers, you know. Textiles are a hot topic in design right now, between the tapestry renaissance and renewed interest in one-of-a-kind antique pieces.
With works from names like Judy Chicago and Sheila Hicks, this showcase of subversive stitching is a must-see.
Until May 26; barbican.org.uk
2. Tropical Modernism: Architecture and Independence, V&A
This promises to be a fascinating deep dive into a movement that’s been overlooked in the Western canon for decades.
Maybe it’s time for European modernism to be knocked off its perch — we’re all realising that these global takes on the movement deserve far more than a footnote in design history. I’m seeing huge interest in Mexican design and architecture in particular.
From March 2; vam.ac.uk
3. Weekend Masterclass: Drawing the Body, Wallace Collection
We’re all guilty of defaulting to headline exhibitions, but if you rummage around on museum and gallery websites you can often find these really amazing little one-day or weekend activities. I’m particularly tempted by this well-priced life-drawing course.
March 2-3; wallacecollection.org
4. Collect, Somerset House
This annual fair showcases weird and wonderful pieces from artists and designers at the top of their game, including a lot of young British talent. It’s far more accessible than something like Frieze.
March 3-5; somersethouse.org.uk
5. Collectible, Brussels
Belgian design has a reputation for being austere, but this will burst that bubble. It’s very international, very cool, very experimental.
It’s the new kid on the block but already one of the flagship collectible design fairs.
March 7-10; collectible.design
6. Enzo Mari, Design Museum
Drag the kids to this retrospective of Italian designer Enzo Mari, who made all these incredibly thoughtful objects for everyday life.
He was all about empowering others to make their own pieces and taking the designer off the pedestal.
March 29-September 8; designmuseum.org
7. Design Icons, Amsterdam
This show is a great place to pick up B-sides to 20th century design classics that haven’t gone wild yet. If you’ve got a good eye you can really come out with some gems.
Yes, it has more of a trade feel than some other fairs but that’s not always a bad thing — the scale means there’s loads to see in one place.
8. Milan Design Week
Design-conscious Italians do their shopping at Milan Design Week, so why shouldn’t you?
You could put aside a full week and not see everything, but my top tip is Alcova, which is a platform for forward-thinking design with lots of cool young talent and pieces to buy.
