London design "an international success story" says Sadiq Khan

With London Design Festival underway, we asked long-standing mayor of London Sadiq Khan for his thoughts on the festival and what to see this year.

Amy Peacock: Why do you believe London's design scene is worth investing in, and what role does London Design Festival play in this?

Sadiq Khan: London has a remarkable history of producing designs that have become global icons. Visionaries such as Thomas Heatherwick and Norman Foster have reimagined architecture and public spaces, while Vivienne Westwood revolutionised fashion with her rebellious designs, and celebrated product designer Tom Dixon and multidisciplinary artist Es Devlin are all showing why London's design is an international success story.

I'm delighted that LDF plays a key role in the success of the industry, showcasing, celebrating and developing our leading talent. The festival is an incredible advert, drawing international attention, investment and visitors as it welcomes more than 600,000 visitors.

I'm hugely proud to support the festival and over the past 10 years have invested £2.2 million that has helped to unlock £1.23 billion for the economy through jobs and investment.

Amy Peacock: What are you looking forward to seeing this year at LDF?

Sadiq Khan: London Design Festival is a huge highlight in the capital's cultural calendar because there are so many great events taking place. There's a lot to look forward to, including The Pangolin Shield, which will be a significant installation on the Strand.

There are design districts that showcase 11 neighbourhoods across the city as local studios, showrooms, galleries and cultural venues open their doors with exhibitions, installations, events and talks, while the V&A continues its long-standing relationship with the festival with Awakenings.

Amy Peacock: How does London's design scene compare to other cities? Do you think it's possible for LDF to have an impact on the scale of design festivals in Milan and Copenhagen, and how does the UK no longer being in the EU have an impact on this?

Sadiq Khan: Our capital is a powerhouse for the creative industries and LDF is a fantastic example of our influence in the design industry. The festival promotes our city's creativity, drawing in the country's greatest thinkers, practitioners, retailers and educators to deliver an unmissable celebration of design. That's why it is one of the world's leading design events and has served as the blueprint for design weeks and festivals globally.

However, there is no doubt that the UK's departure from the EU has made it harder for London's design industry to trade, collaborate and recruit talent across Europe. Increased paperwork, barriers for the movement of creative talent and reduced access to EU funding have brought challenges, but despite all this, London continues to be a thriving and welcoming place for designers.

The top photo of Sadiq Khan is by Caroline Teo

This article was originally written as part of our Dezeen Dispatch magazine for LDF 2026. Read an online version of the magazine here.

LDF 2026 is taking place at various locations around the city from 12 to 20 September. To see what's on, visit Dezeen Events Guide.

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