Inside the Vision for TRI Design
EXPERTS
In this interview, Katie Blake, Director of Marketing and Communications at Knightsbridge Partnership, discusses the vision behind TRI Design and why this new festival signals a pivotal moment for London’s creative landscape.
Q: Katie, we are delighted to be speaking with you. Take us back to the beginning: what were the earliest conversations that sparked the idea for TRI Design, and at what moment did you know this festival needed to exist?
The last 18 months have seen the number of interior and design businesses increase across Knightsbridge and the King’s Road, with many desiring a spotlight to be shone on this area as a beacon of creativity and craftsmanship. We sensed that there was an opportunity to create a moment, with so many businesses championing the idea last summer, and from there TRI Design was born. To be truly representative, the festival goes beyond showrooms and encompasses design in all its many forms, from luxury hotels and restaurants to fashion brands and architects, all based in the area.
Q: This festival will be presented by the Knightsbridge Partnership. For readers who may not be familiar with the Knightsbridge Partnership, can you explain what it is and the role it plays as a Business Improvement District (BID)?
We have the unique responsibility of representing one of the world’s leading luxury destinations. Our role is to help ensure the destination is fit for the future and continues to attract visitors from all across the world, as well as locally from our doorstep. Initiatives like TRI Design help us showcase the area’s unique offering, drive discovery among new audiences, and continue to be a welcoming place for residents who are fortunate to call this unique part of London home.
Q: We would love to know how the name “TRI Design” came about, and what it symbolises for the festival’s identity.
The footprint of the festival spans Knightsbridge, the King’s Road and Fulham Road, which on a map neatly depicts a triangle. It is also a fun play on words, encouraging people to ‘try’ design and discover what our areas have to offer for the first time.
Q: TRI Design launches in March 2026 alongside London Design Week. Why was this particular time of year the right moment to introduce a new design festival to London?
London Design Week is a well-established fixture in the interior and design calendar, and by launching during this week we are giving visitors an additional raft of events and experiences to discover.
Q: The Pantone Colour of the Year will run as a thread through the festival. Why did you choose colour as a unifying theme, and what kind of creativity do you hope it sparks across the district?
The Pantone Colour of the Year is a major moment across multiple industries, sparking collections and collaborations across art, fashion and interiors. We hope to see brands embrace how their offering showcases Cloud Dancer, from product ranges people can purchase to bring the colour into their homes, through to colour-led experiences.
Q: The festival’s programme will span interiors, art, fashion, hospitality and culture. What kind of atmosphere or emotional journey do you hope visitors experience as they move through TRI Design?
TRI Design encompasses iconic areas of London, and we hope visitors discover new brands and become familiar enough with the area to return and build a long-term relationship with it. We want people to feel these areas are accessible and welcoming, catering to all price points.
Q: Are there any festivals or cultural moments, past or present, that have influenced your vision for TRI Design, either in scale, ambition, or spirit?
My experience with the Affordable Art Fair showed me the power the Pantone Colour of the Year has to inform art purchases. A recent visit to Dubai Design Week, now in its 10th year, showed me how a district can truly showcase its offering in-store and throughout the public realm, with public art installations and craft stalls. Their ambition to showcase businesses and local talent really stood out to me and shows just how much potential TRI Design has to grow in the years to come.
Q: TRI Design is set to welcome a wide mix of visitors, from design professionals to curious locals and global travellers. What do you hope each of these audiences discovers when they engage with the festival?
These areas are often synonymous with a few very famous stores and brands, and we hope TRI Design will help visitors explore more deeply, discovering the breadth of offering we have and sparking a new relationship with the area that encourages them to return again and again.
Q: What do you hope will be the key takeaway from this inaugural year of TRI Design, for visitors, participating brands, and the districts themselves?
Put simply: ambition and opportunity. In its inaugural year, we have been pleasantly overwhelmed by the demand from businesses and external partners seeking to get involved.
Q: Looking five or ten years ahead, how do you envision TRI Design evolving, and what legacy do you hope this inaugural edition leaves for the districts and the wider design community?
There is so much opportunity to build new aspects into future editions, creating an activation that drives footfall and spend into our member businesses, while also embracing creatives outside our immediate community to create a truly unique experience for London.
TRI Design will take place 12–15 March 2026 across Knightsbridge, the King’s Road and Fulham Road, bringing together leading names in design, fashion, hospitality and culture for a four-day programme of exhibitions, talks and immersive experiences.
As the official media partner, OLISE Magazine will deliver festival storytelling across print, digital, social, and OLISE Talks, including designer features, brand profiles, and post-event highlights.
Find out more at www.TriDesign.co.uk
