The Diary in December
The pick of events happening this month or on the horizon
Words by Sophie Tolhurst
1. Zandra Rhodes: 50 Years of Fabulous
27 September 2019 – 26 January 2020
Fashion and Textile Museum, London
This retrospective of fashion designer Zandra Rhodes celebrates her distinctive fashion label. Known for colourful and original prints on fluid silhouettes, she was a key figure in 1970s fashion. The exhibition includes 50 textiles and 100 key looks.
ftmlondon.org
2. Beazley Designs of the Year
11 September 2019 – 9 February 2020
Design Museum, London
The 76 designs, nominated the most innovative of the last year, include the world’s first silent handsfree breast pump; a proxy address for the homeless; tiles made from Mount Etna’s ashes; and a new roof for the war-damaged ancient souk of Homs.
designmuseum.org
3. World Architecture Festival and Inside: World Festival of Interiors
4 – 6 December
Amsterdam
Both festivals are centred on awards culminating in live presentations, judging and discussion. There is also a programme of talks, the WAF Student Charrette, the Architecture Drawing Prize, and architecture tours of Amsterdam.
worldarchitecturefestival.com
4. Heimtextil
7 – 10 January 2020
Frankfurt am Main
For the 50th anniversary of this international trade fair for contract and home textiles, special celebrations include a showcase of design classics, an anniversary film and a party. New this year is ‘Textile Technologies’, looking at changes in the wake of the digital revolution.
heimtextil.messefrankfurt.com
5. Design Miami/
17 October 2019 – 9 February 2020
Miami
Alongside the Art Basel fairs in June and December, Design Miami/ allows galleries across the world to present exhibitions of contemporary furniture and lighting, combined with an events programme of discussions and lectures from leading designers, curators, critics and collectors.
miami2019.designmiami.com