Design goes in for off-the-wall antics at V&A fête

Wolff Olins, product design consultancy Priestman Goode founder Paul Priestman and digital consultancy Poke will be some of the design names participating in this year’s Victoria & Albert Museum Alternative Village Fête event.

A mix of established and nascent consultancies, studios and designers will host a series of stalls at the event, now in its ninth year, held in the John Madejski Garden (pictured).

‘It’s a great way of offering a live public engagement with designers and their practices, and it’s always done in a fun, lighthearted manner, says V&A deputy head of contemporary programmes Louise Shannon. ‘It’s also a way of introducing new collections within the V&A,’ she adds.

Claire Catterall, curator of Scarlet Projects, which has curated the event alongside Shannon, has brought in a line-up including jewellery designer Tatty Devine, Poke, Priestman and graphic designer Rob Ryan.

The aim with the line-up is to provide a current snapshot of contemporary design, looking at both practices and individuals, says Shannon.

Visitors will be invited to participate in off-the-wall competitions and games such as designer Patrick Laing’s The Beard Tent – a competition to produce the largest, most object filled beard – and Wolff Olins’ Flower Deranger stall, which invites visitors to destroy flower-filled vases.

The French Connection Friday Late: Village Fête will be held at the V&A, London SW7 on Friday 25 July.