Travels in London

Continuing my travel related posts, here are the London Highlights of the Forbo tour.
The London Design Festival was huge - I wish we had more time (and energy!)

The V+A Museum alone could have taken up two or three days! Highlights at V+A were the art installations, the Heatherwick Studio retrospective ( Thomas Heatherwick and team are multi skilled designers responsible for the Olympic cauldron and the new London Buses), and the Ballgowns exhibition, which had many designer gowns from the 1950's to now.

Art Installation at the V+A Museum Entry

We also visited two expos. The first was an interior design and architecture trade show, 100% Design at Earls Court - it was a fairly standard trade fair, much better than its Australian counterpart and the entry was certainly a highlight.

Entry Installation at 100% Design

 The second was called Tent, and was primarily furniture, accessories and lighting from more up and coming designers, although there were some oldies there too, like Bernhardt. The lighting was great. The venue was a disused Post Office on New Oxford Street - it was a fabulous raw space, with 3 levels of goodies.

Tent

 We ate very well (she says, with a tight waistband - must get that gym thingy going). Our hosts took us to a groovy Christian Liagre designed Asian restaurant,  Hakkasan. Stylish and expensive food, we were way under dressed and definitely not cool enough but we had fun ! I could not take photos - it was sooo dark, and seemed a bit of a no no to be photographing, so I have only got a photo courtesy of the Word of Ward's blog , but it will give you the idea.

Hakkasan

 

 

 

 

 

After the Forbo trip, I visited my sisters who both live in London with their young families. As they both hold down full time work, I had a few days to visit the shopping areas (my credit card took a bashing at Liberty, Paul Smith and Harvey Nichols), the Tate Modern, the amazing art of the Wallace Collection,  the modern works of the Serpentine Gallery, and of course time to source some goodies for beading.

VV Rouleaux is a wonderful trimming shop - it was under refurbishment, so had moved to a smaller temporary site - the selection was somewhat reduced but the ladies who work there were so helpful. I stocked up on striped ribbon and tassels (not sure what I will do with it all....).

All in all, a great trip, with huge thanks to David and Sam at Forbo.. ....  better start planning the next holiday!