Talking All Things Focus/24 with Claire German, CEO of Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour

Focus/24 is just around the corner, and we couldn't be more excited! Spanning five days, this premier annual event will unveil the newest autumn/winter collections from over 600 global brands and feature more than 100 events. 

With designer-led talks and inspiring masterclasses, all set within the prestigious walls of the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, there’s much to anticipate with Focus/24!

A standout moment at Focus/24 will undoubtedly be ‘In Conversation with Claire German’ — a special Q&A with the CEO of Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour. 

We recently sat down with Claire and spoke all things Design Centre and the significance of Focus, so you can get your in-person questions prepped and ready — join us, won’t you?

Hi, Claire! With Focus/24 on the horizon, many attendees might be new to the Design Centre. Could you share what makes the Design Centre so special?
 

Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour first draws visitors in with our unparalleled offering; we are home to over 135 showrooms and 600 brands. Our commitment to creative excellence and specialist expertise makes the Design Centre the first port of call for professional designers and architects sourcing for prestigious residential and commercial projects, as well as design enthusiasts seeking inspiration for their own homes. Nowhere else will you find such a high concentration of design’s biggest names shaping interiors today – all at one address.

What people may not expect is the sense of community they will find here within the domes. Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour is absolutely committed to championing its showrooms and showcasing world-class talent. From the rotating calendar of exhibitions and showcases in the Design Avenue, to the flagship events that celebrate new collections from our showrooms with London Design Week in March and Focus every September, everything we do here is ultimately to drive footfall to and put a spotlight on Design Centre showrooms.

The very ethos of the Design Centre is to create a friendly, welcoming atmosphere throughout. I feel very humbled when I see collaborations between the showrooms as they seize opportunities to work together and support each other – we really are bricks, mortar, and beyond.

Why should people be excited about the forthcoming Focus, along with any other events coming up? 

Next up on the Design Centre calendar is Focus/24 which is one of our flagship events. Taking place every September, Focus celebrates the new autumn/winter collections from our showrooms. The programme for the show is brimming with content, from mainstage talks featuring renowned speakers, to the brands known as House Guests that pop up in the Design Avenue for the duration of the event to add another layer of excitement for visitors. London Design Week is the March counterpart to Focus where spring/summer collections are launched.

People can expect a buzzing, vibrant atmosphere at Design Centre events. We like to say our events are where people connect, converse, and create, because it’s such an inspiring time where the industry really comes together. 

The ‘Access All Areas’ strand of the programme is where the showrooms host their own events and ABI have become known for their immersive moodboard workshops which have always proved very popular!

This year, there will be a new element to Focus/24, as the well-established show will be augmented by Focus/24: The Longer View (23 September – 11 October). Aimed to coincide to a time when the vibrant London scene is buzzing with art and design, it will bring refreshed creativity to the Design Centre, with opportunities for visitors to see more inspirational exhibitors for a longer period, alongside work by contemporary craftmakers curated for Future Heritage during the final week.

When it comes to the wider calendar of events, I must mention WOW!house which takes place every June. Launched in 2022, WOW!house has become a key date in the design calendar, taking place for just under five weeks with one key objective; to pioneer a sense of wonder that inspires both industry professionals and design enthusiasts alike. 

Built within the Design Avenue, WOW!house is a one-of-a-kind showhouse stretching 500 sq m. Featuring 19 full-size rooms and outdoor spaces — each one is uniquely designed by a world-class interior designer, working in collaboration with globally recognised design brands and incredible suppliers.

Beyond these staple events, our calendar is further amplified by a festive programme every November/December and numerous pop-up events throughout the year.

How have designers from London and the UK shaped and inspired the global landscape of interior design?

There is so much respect and admiration globally for British interior design. Here at the Design Centre, we are fortunate to have leading brands who are known for classic English styles, like Colefax and Fowler, steeped in history. Many legendary interior designers and brands have played a pivotal role in bringing a British decorative sensibility to international prominence. Americans tend to really respect the refined, witty eclecticism that British interior design is known for, where a conflation of very different ideas somehow come together to make an integrated scheme. London or UK based designers are often having to work with respect for the intrinsic qualities of a period building, and there is something about the compromises that are required here that can create magic.

Whether it’s a Bloomsbury aesthetic or a classical style, there is so much inspiration for today’s brands and designers to seek inspiration from when it comes to British design.

It is also important for us to keep looking ahead to the future. As a hub for the industry, the Design Centre has a responsibility to think about the next generation of British design talent. Whilst we celebrate legendary designers, we also create a platform for rising stars in the industry. 

Through our work on WOW!house, we partner with brilliant organisations such as United in Design who were founded to address the lack of diversity in the design industry. United in Design were our charity partner for WOW!house 2024, and we are committed to working together with them in the years to come, by raising awareness, facilitating networking opportunities, hosting events, and through the creation of a specialist guide featuring outstanding design-makers.

Could you describe the signature aesthetics of the Design Centre and the intentions behind its design?

Design Centre’s most iconic features are the domed ceilings which allow for an abundance of natural light to stream in. With so much stimulation to be found within the showrooms, the Design Centre’s domes and hallways serve as a serene palette cleanser to ensure visitors can process a diversity of styles when they come here to source. We are, however, always creative with the shared spaces, whether it’s beautiful fresh flower displays, interesting installations that are changed seasonally or rotating pop-ups in our Design Avenue, we are always looking to spark joy – no two visits to the Design Centre are the same!

As the needs of the industry grew, the Design Centre moved with the times and expanded. The Design Avenue, which is now the most magnificent event space for hosting exhibitions and shows, connects Design Centre East (where ABI is located) to the rest of the building, making it much easier for designers to source in rainy London. A recent development is the creation of Design Centre North, directly opposite from the main entrance, where a whole array of international brands can be found including The Rug Company, Visual Comfort, and THG who will open just in time for Focus this September.

Focus/24 is an incredible opportunity to spark new inspiration and connect with future collaborators, all in one place.

This year, our ever-popular walk-in moodboard masterclass is back in our London Showroom, and we're also thrilled to unveil the latest addition to our concrete range — the Nelios Concrete Basins Collection.

To top it all off, we're celebrating our third anniversary in the UK with a special ABI Interiors hamper giveaway! Trust us, you don't want to miss this year's Focus!

Register now to join us from Monday, 16th September, to Friday, 20th September.