Holly OrtonThe 2011 design world was awash with glamour as we saw the beautiful Sarah Burton wedding dress on K-Mid; sadness, at the loss of Steve Jobs; marvel, at the unveiling of Beekham Tower in Lower Manhattan, and social media has never looked so slick with the Facebook Timeline and the launch of Google+.
So… what’s in store for the coming year?
FASHION
The burning question for fashion fans – just who will be the new design in Chief at Christian Dior? The rumour mill has been churning; Marc Jacobs is a hot favourite. But can Dior prize him away from the handbags and luggage at Louis Vuitton? The guy makes stunning handbags, but is he cut out for the haute couture? The question is, has anyone got the vast imagination and craftsmanship required for such a role after the tragic loss of Alexander McQueen. Personally I’d like to see Riccardo Tisci, fill the position with his stunning flair for couture.
TECHNOLOGY
2012 will see a complete redesign of the UK Pylon network. Yes – I’m seriously asking you to get excited about pylons. The old ones have been blighting our landscape for too long, the current design dates back to the 1920’s. Copenhagen-based design practice Bystrup won the 2011 competition ran by the national grid with their quirky T-pylon, impressing the panel with simple aesthetic and compact dimensions.
Plus, it’s going to be (another) big year for Apple, with Jonathon Ive getting knighted, and the announcement of the release date for the iPhone 5.
ARCHITECTURE
There are many hot new buildings to visit this year, the most intriguing of which are:
- Bilbao Arena and Sports Centre, Bilbao
- The Orange Cube, Lyon,
- Voltaire Building, Paris
- Young Workers Residence, Paris
- Shanhai Museum of Glass
- Markas Office Building, Spratzern, Austria
- And of course, the 2012 Olympic Stadium (hopefully a lot more classy than the logo).
INTERIOR DESIGN
2012 is going to see the return of mirrors. Everywhere. Expect to see mirrored tables, cabinets, walls… ceilings (ooer).
Other trends include curved legs, French/Parisian furniture styles and the return of Oak. The predominant textile palettes in vogue are earth tones, accented with vibrant colours.
UNMISSABLE EXHIBITIONS
“Christian Louboutin,” a retrospective of the designer
Design Museum, London
March 28 – July 1 2012
“Fifty Years of James Bond Style” with pieces from Giorgio Armani, Prada, Oscar de la Renta and other designers.
The Barbican, London
April 2012
“Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950″
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
May 19, 2012 – January 26, 2013
“British Design Exhibition London” – Showcasing the best of British Design from 1948 to 2012.
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
31 March 2012 – 12 August 2012
