As an architectural icon and home to many of the world’s finest design brands, The Royal Exchange is an apt setting for one of the most exciting events at this year’s London Design Festival.

The Makers’ Market will bring a specially curated selection of design-led brands, creators and makers to The Royal Exchange from 20-24 September. The market has been created in collaboration with the LDF team to represent eight independent brands that demonstrate the finest of British design ingenuity. The makers encompass a tantalising variety of disciplines and mediums including glassware, homeware, fabrics, furniture, jewellery, leather goods and accessories. Each maker has been selected for their pioneering approach to design and for the innovative ways in which they combine traditional craft with modern materials and ideas.

The Makers’ Market will take place in a specially created pop-up space on the mezzanine of The Royal Exchange’s striking central courtyard.

‘We’re excited to see The Makers’ Market come to life in this historic space and shine a spotlight on British craftsmanship,’ says director and co-founder of LDF, Ben Evans. ‘The carefully curated selection of designers will present new work from across a wide range of creative disciplines. All the products will be handmade and handcrafted in the UK, using craftsmanship techniques and classical materials including textiles, leather, ceramic and wood, many of which will be used in new and innovative ways. The Royal Exchange has a rich history as a destination for handmade products and luxury collectibles, and The Makers’ Market will be drawing on this tradition,’ he says.

The creators taking part in the Makers’ Market include:

Blackpop, a unique, timeless, and quintessentially British patterned print and home decor design house which will be showcasing some of its cushions. blackpop.co.uk

Rekha Maker, a homeware brand from Rekha Barry, an architect based in Glasgow. Rekha creates slow-made and sustainable homeware using architectural techniques in a playful way. Rekha Maker will be selling her sustainable range including a water tower-inspired vase, minimal candle holders and plant stands; rekhamaker.com

A|G Drawings, the work of Allaster Grant, an artist based in South Wales. Grant analyses and records the places that he encounters through the mediums of drawing and photography. A|G Drawings will be selling internal and external drawings of the Royal Exchange, as well as drawings of the Temple Bar area and wider London; agdrawings.com

Hung Studios, founded by Tamzin Lillywhite, creates bold and bright leather plant hangers and home accessories as well as handsome dog accessories. The brand uses responsibly sourced leather, and also offers vegan options; hungstudios.co.uk

Studio Mito is a London-based weave studio focusing on slow design. It is run by Millie, who believes weaving is an important way to keep craft alive. She will be exhibiting hand-woven jewellery, including cuff bracelets and earrings; studiomito.co.uk

Samantha Sweet makes glass using the human hand and judgement, aiming to create objects that are personal, relatable and enjoyable to use. Samantha will be displaying her new recessed light chandelier, Sweet Spot. The chandelier is a new concept in lighting, transforming an LED-recessed light into a pendant light and back again; samanthasweet.com

Rye & Moor, will be selling pieces from its collection of furniture, textiles and homewares featuring contemporary, bold graphic prints. They will unveil their newest line ‘Roddy’, a strikingly simple birchwood footstool, handmade in Lewes and upholstered in a selection of Rye & Moor’s signature prints; ryeandmoor.co.uk

Susannah Weiland is a London-based hand embroidery artist who incorporates natural motifs in her beautifully detailed decorative cushions, furnishings and wallpaper. Susannah’s elegant designs explore her love of tonal black and white pencil drawings offset by colourful details of delicate hand embroidery. susannahweiland.co.uk

All products will be available to purchase from The Royal Exchange Makers’ Market during London Design Festival. The Makers’ Market at The Royal Exchange will be in residence daily from Monday 20 September-Friday 24 September 2021, 10.30am-6pm. Find out more at theroyalexchange.co.uk and by following The Royal Exchange on Instagram.