This year’s recipients work across diverse fields: cosmetics, biotechnology, engineering and fashion.
ADVERTISEMENTAhead of its annual design extravaganza, London Design Festival has announced Natsai Audrey Chieza, Pat McGrath, Harry Blakiston Houston and Rei Kawakubo as the winners of the 2024 London Design Medals.
Each year, four medals are handed out in celebration of excellence in the field of design, across different categories: the London Design Medal, the award’s highest honour; the Design Innovation Medal; the Emerging Design Medal; and the Lifetime Achievement Medal.
British makeup artist Pat McGrath DBE, dubbed the world's most influential and in-demand makeup artist, received the prestigious London Design Medal, honouring her 25-year career. This time has seen her create cosmetics for Giorgio Armani, take on the role of global cosmetics creative design director at Procter & Gamble, serve as beauty editor-at-large for British Vogue and launch her own McGrath Labs brand.
"Design is at the core of everything I do as a makeup artist, so to have my dedication to design recognised and celebrated with the London Design Medal – and in the city where I got my start, no less – is a complete full-circle moment for me," said McGrath.
Collaborative innovation
Having established Faber Futures - a design agency that aims to bridge the gap between design and biotechnology – and climate-forward "biodesign lifestyle brand" Normal Phenomena of Life, Natsai Audrey Chieza has been awarded the Design Innovation Medal.
"In a rapidly evolving world interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for making positive change," Chieza said. "It demands us to push beyond traditional models, boundaries and expectations."
Rising star Harry Blakiston Houston, founder of Insulate Ukraine, an initiative to install low-cost triple-glazed temporary polyethylene windows in bomb-damaged homes, was honoured with the Emerging Design Medal.
"I see myself as an inventor who uses systems to solve problems," he explained. "When I was told I would be awarded the Emerging Design Medal, I asked if it could go to the people on the ground in Ukraine, the civilians who stayed to help their community. They are putting their lives on the line every single day. I didn't win this award. They did."
Fashion industry titan Rei Kawakubo, founder of Comme des Garçons and Dover Street Market, won the Lifetime Achievement Medal.
They will receive their medals at a ceremony on 16 September, as part of London Design Festival.
The 2024 London Design Festival runs from 14-22 September.
