CDW 2016: Design Undefined opens at Clerkenwell London

- by Milly Burroughs

Hosted by Clerkenwell London’s COO Sara Carter, and chaired by Fiera founder Katie Treggiden, materials expert Seetal Solanki and creative polymath Kia Utzon-Frank gathered in the elegant Piano Lounge to discuss the principles and questions addressed by the multi-disciplinary destination’s first Clerkenwell Design Week exhibition.

Speaking in front of an audience of design press and connoisseurs, Sara opened the discussion with a passionate comment on the role of Clerkenwell London in the design industry. Having transitioned from ‘Clerkenwell Collections’ to what is now a dynamic and limitless design destination and experience, the COO said, "The place continually surprises me and it can't be defined. I feel very passionately about the design side of our lives.”

A sentiment that clearly resonated with the panel of creatives, the discussion quickly turned to the importance of remaining ‘undefined’ and how this drives the industry to new and better design solutions. Speaking on the topic of being a polymath and how her work came to be so diverse, Matter founder Seetal was keen to remind people that we do not need to choose one area or role. “In the creative industry you have the freedom to be all of these things.” she said. Reinforcing Seetal’s point, product, cake and jewellery designer Kia said, "It's the element of surprise that I like.” and described the importance of not being, “Afraid of unlearning stuff to learn new things.”

Commenting on creative catalysts and innovation, design writer Katie suggested to the panel and audience that, “When you combine two things that have never met, that’s where the magic is. It's quite normal now for people to work across disciplines.”

While Kia seemed to relate to Katie’s observation and explained that cake is, “Just another material.” Seetal opened up and revealed that she, “Can't not have this [cross-disciplinary] way of working.”

Speaking on their varied paths to becoming the creatives they are now, Seetal mentioned that “Jewellery was quite restricting. The end result wasn't challenging enough for me.” and Kia commented on how difficult, and somewhat irrelevant defining your specialism is. “The whole what do you do question, it takes half an hour to answer it!”

Having opened the exhibition with their breakfast panel, Katie and Kia are both exhibiting at Design Undefined for the duration of Clerkenwell Design Week, while Seetal will host a series of three workshops exploring the lesser known qualities of marble, aluminium an bamboo. During the panel discussion, the Matter founder was keen to highlight that, ”Material is everything and it's about translating that into something more interesting.”

Following the success of her bi-annual magazine, Katie’s Fiera Edit will showcase the work of three emerging international talents within the inspiring walls of Clerkenwell London while designer Kia launches her personal brand KUFstudio, incorporating her widely talked about KUFcakes and patented Louvre Twisted Comb blind system. A bespoke version of the blind has been created in conjunction with Clerkenwell London and will be available to view for the rest of the festival.

To explore Design Undefined visit Clerkenwell London today, tomorrow and thursday between 10am and 8pm at 155 Farringdon Road.

Follow Clerkenwell London on Twitter and Instagram for regular updates from the exhibition. 

1: Breakfast panel, 2: Katharina Eisenkoeck's stone&mirror collection, 3: Brekafast panel, 4: Kia Utzon-Frank's plant hangers, 5: Seetal Solanki's 'Matterials Ma-tt-er' in Clerkenwell London's Fashion Room, 6: Breakfast from 155 Bar & Kitchen.