LONDON.- Leading Irish designers and makers are preparing to unveil their latest product ranges to international buyers this month at high-profile events during London Design Festival (LDF), including Tent London, Decorex International and 100% Design.

One of the most popular trade events at LDF is Tent London which attracts an influential audience of over 25,000 retail buyers, architects, interior designers, press, designers and design-savvy public (weekend only) keen to see and specify the very latest furniture, lighting, textiles, materials and conceptual installations from around the world. Marking the 10th anniversary of Tent London, 2016 sees the launch of London Design Fair, the new umbrella brand that includes both Tent London and Super Brands London, alongside a host of international trade showcases.

In recent years, Tent London has seen a significant Irish design presence, with the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCoI) presenting a number of high-profile group exhibitions, including Vernacular in 2013, Weathering in 2014 and Ó in 2015. DCCoI has worked with the organisers of this year’s show, which takes place at Old Truman Brewery, 22 – 25 September, to enable several Irish designers and makers to exhibit individually, signalling a positive coming of age for these talented creatives. Irish designers exhibiting at this year’s trade fair include:

· Shane Holland Design (Hall T3-A, Stand 2) presenting the latest range of contemporary lighting designed and made in Shane’s Co. Meath workshop

· Mourne Textiles (Hall T3-A, Stand 8) who return to London once again to exhibit their iconic collection of textiles handwoven at the foot of the Mourne Mountains

· Jando Design (Hall T3-A, Stand 9), a fresh new print design brand from Ireland focused on witty prints and cards produced in their Dublin-based studio

· Déanta (Hall T1, Stand E10) exhibiting contemporary furniture and lighting designed by renowned Irish architect Andrew Clancy

· Arran Street East (Hall T1, F30), the artisan producer of simple, hand-thrown and hand-made homewares in characterful colours inspired by the nearby Dublin Fruit and Vegetable Market, will introduce two new products to the range at LDF: The Breadboards and The Pegs

· Ceadogán (Hall T3-A, Stand 1) presenting their handtufted collection of rugs and wall hangings in luxurious yarns designed and produced in their Co. Wexford workshop

· Leo Scarff Design (Hall T1, Stand D18) participating in London Design Festival once again to unveil the studio’s latest lighting and furniture range designed in Leo’s Co. Leitrim studio

· Gordon Byrne Designs (Hall T1, Stand D18) announcing the formation of studioGBD alongside their old colleagues at Leo Scarff Design

· Matt Jones Woodturner (Hall T1, Stand E21) presenting his collection of hand-turned homewares designed and made in Co. Sligo, who will be featured as part of the Etsy exhibition at London Design Fair, following his selection as the winner of Etsy’s Best Irish Maker Award for 2016 by the online global craft marketplace.

· PaperPetShop (Hall T3-A, Stand 5) will bring their finest paper craft templates and kits to this year’s London Design Fair

Elsewhere at LDF, Decorex International, billed as the industry’s most prestigious interiors trade event, returns to Syon Park 18 – 21 September. Decorex will feature award-winning Irish furniture brand Zelouf + Bell (Stand D55) who are renowned for the considered choice of materials, cutting-edge design and exquisite craftsmanship of their contemporary furniture. The sculptural glasswork of Edmond Byrne will also be exhibited at Decorex as part of The New Craftsmen stand (F1-F5). The London Design Fair and Decorex have partnered for 2016, allowing trade visitors entry to both shows. The industrial-style designs of Mullan Lighting will exhibit (Stand L523, L312) as part of 100% Design (21 – 24 September), the UK’s largest trade event for architects and designers, at Olympia London.

London audiences will have seen the work of many of the Irish exhibitors such as Ceadogán, Mourne Textiles, Mullan Lighting and Arran Street East earlier this year when iconic London retailer Heal’s worked in partnership with DCCoI on curating Design Ireland at Heal’s, the largest retail presentation of Irish-made design in London in decades. The initiative emerged as a direct result of successive exhibitions of Irish design and craft at London Design Festival, reflecting the influence of the annual festival and its potential commercial benefits for the Irish design and craft sector.

The work of Irish designers and makers has been attracting growing attention internationally in recent years, particularly during 2015 as part of Irish Design 2015 (ID2015), a year-long initiative backed by the Irish government exploring, promoting and celebrating Irish design through a programme of signature events and activities across the island of Ireland and around the world.