Kartell PresentsThe Shape of What’s Nextat London Design Festival 2025

This September, during London Design Festival 2025, iconic Italian design brand Kartell will present one of its most ambitious programmes yet, The Shape of What’s Next. Taking place at the brand’s flagship London store on Brompton Road, the showcase will combine live conversations, new product launches, and a bold exploration of design’s future.

At the centre of the event is the UK debut of Kartell’s “Future Perspectives” collection, a striking body of work that reflects the brand’s commitment to material innovation, sustainability, and collaboration. More than just new designs, the collection signals a pivotal creative shift under Lorenza Luti, Kartell’s Director, who has repositioned the company as a Creative Laboratory for experimental and forward-thinking design.

A New Era for Kartell

Founded in 1949, Kartell has long been synonymous with Italian design excellence, collaborating with leading international designers to create pieces that merge contemporary technology with elegance and adaptability. But while many heritage brands are leaning heavily on archives, Kartell treats its past not as a static catalogue but as a living resource.

Under Luti’s leadership, the company is pushing design boundaries by embracing new technologies, investing in sustainable production, and cultivating collaborations with some of the world’s most influential creative voices. This dual focus, honouring heritage while embracing innovation, defines the Future Perspectives collection.

Highlights of the Future Perspectives Collection

The new collection brings together a roster of acclaimed designers, each reinterpreting Kartell’s design DNA through a contemporary lens.

• Philippe Starck presents A.I. Lite, a lighter, more sustainable evolution of his pioneering AI-generated chair, continuing Kartell’s exploration into artificial intelligence and eco-conscious production.

• The Camomille Lamp embodies mobility and softness, offering a portable, rechargeable lighting object that reflects modern lifestyles.

• Patricia Urquiola introduces AALAND, a modular seating system defined by fluid, organic forms that rethink the typology of the sofa.

• Ludovica Serafini and Roberto Palomba bring clarity and refinement with the Albert Table, a design that fuses classical inspiration with bold structural presence.

• Piero Lissoni’s WiseWise shelving offers modular elegance, striking a balance between functionality and architectural sophistication.

• Even long-standing icons such as TRAYS have been reimagined with new finishes and updated forms, reaffirming Kartell’s philosophy that reinvention and heritage can coexist.

This mix of reinvention and innovation not only enhances Kartell’s portfolio but also reinforces its status as a brand that continues to shape contemporary design culture.

Live Conversations at London Design Festival

The spirit of exploration and collaboration at the heart of The Shape of What’s Next will be brought to life through a programme of live, in-store conversations on Thursday 18 September 2025. These sessions will delve into how design brands are rethinking authorship, materiality, and creative collaboration in an age defined by archives and innovation.

Bookings for these events will open on 29 August 2025, offering visitors a rare opportunity to engage with some of the leading voices shaping the future of global design.

A Legacy of Italian Design Excellence

For over seven decades, Kartell has been a global ambassador for Italian design, creating timeless furniture, lighting, and accessories that blend industrial expertise with artistic expression. From its early collaborations with masters of modern design to its current partnerships with contemporary icons, the brand has continually pushed the boundaries of material innovation and creative storytelling.

Today, Kartell’s collection spans sofas and armchairs, tables and chairs, lamps and accessories, furnishing both private homes and public spaces with style, adaptability, and enduring quality. With the unveiling of Future Perspectives, Kartell not only honours its storied heritage but also reaffirms its role as a pioneer of design’s future.

The Shape of What’s Next

At London Design Festival 2025, Kartell’s showcase is more than just a product launch; it is a statement of intent. The combination of archive reinvention, new materials, and boundary-pushing design reflects a brand deeply aware of the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of design.

For those attending the London Design Festival, The Shape of What’s Next promises to be a must-see highlight, offering not only innovative furniture and lighting but also thought-provoking insights into where design is heading next.

Key Details

• Exhibition: The Shape of What’s Next by Kartell

• Location: Kartell Flagship Store, Brompton Road, London

• Dates: September 14–22, 2025

• Live Conversations: Thursday, September 18, 2025

• Booking Opens: August 29, 2025

Kartell’s presentation at the London Design Festival 2025 is a celebration of vision, innovation, and reinvention. For design lovers, architects, and anyone passionate about the future of living spaces, this exhibition offers an unmissable opportunity to experience the next chapter of one of the world’s most influential design brands.

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