Clerkenwell Design Week has revealed the headline speakers for its 15th anniversary edition, with designer Michael Anastassiades, architect Níall McLaughlin and furniture designer Lara Bohinc confirmed for the festival’s flagship talks strand, Conversations at Clerkenwell.
Running from 19 to 21 May across EC1, London, CDW 2026 will host five talks programmes spanning architecture, interiors, lighting design and commercial spaces — but it is the Conversations at Clerkenwell series, housed in the historic setting of St Bartholomew the Great, that draws the biggest names.
Cypriot-born British designer Michael Anastassiades opens the series on Tuesday 19 May, in conversation about his celebrated lighting work, limited-edition collections and solo exhibitions at museums and galleries worldwide. On Wednesday 20 May, the spotlight falls on Níall McLaughlin — awarded the RIBA Royal Gold Medal 2026 — who will walk through a portfolio that has reshaped British architecture over three decades. Slovenian furniture designer Lara Bohinc closes the series on Thursday 21 May, reflecting on her approach to materials, her collaborations and new collections.
Curated by Katie Richardson and partnered this year with Dulux Trade, the programme runs at 11am each day in one-on-one interview format. Dulux Trade’s Creative Director Marianne Shillingford also hosts three sessions of her own on colour, AI and the science of paint.
Beyond Conversations at Clerkenwell, the festival’s four further talks programmes address neurodiversity in design, the future of luxury, lighting practice, and commercial interiors, with contributors including Dimorestudio, Paul Cocksedge, Tomás Alonso and Vienna Design Week director Gabriel Roland among those confirmed.
Clerkenwell Design Week 2026 runs 19–21 May across EC1, London. Registration is open at clerkenwelldesignweek.com.
