The London Design Festival has announced designers Natsai Audrey Chieza, Pat McGrath, Harry Blakiston Houston and Rei Kawakubo as the winners of this year’s London Design Medals.
British makeup artist McGrath, who was described as the “world’s most influential and in-demand makeup artist” took home the prestigious London Design Medal, which is the award’s highest honour.
Over a 25-year career she has created cosmetics for Giorgio Armani, been the global cosmetics creative design director at Procter & Gamble and launched her own McGrath Labs brand in 2015. In 2017 she became beauty editor-at-large for British Vogue.
“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.
Alongside McGrath, Chieza was recognised with the Design Innovation Medal, Houston won the Emerging Design Medal and Kawakubo won the Lifetime Achievement Medal.
Chieza was recognised as a “visionary designer and thought leader”. She established Faber Futures in 2018, a design agency that explores the intersection between design and biotechnology, and “biodesign lifestyle brand” Normal Phenomena of Life in 2023.
“In a rapidly evolving world interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for making positive change,” said Chieza. “It demands us to push beyond traditional models, boundaries and expectations.”
“That’s why it’s particularly meaningful to see the work we do at Faber Futures – where design, biotechnology and society converge – acknowledged for its role in shaping the possibilities of tomorrow,” she continued.
Houston was recognised for his work with Insulate Ukraine – an initiative that has installed thousands of temporary triple-glazed polyethylene windows in bomb-damaged homes in the country.
“I see myself as an inventor who uses systems to solve problems,” he said.
“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 designer Kawakubo, who founded fashion brand Comme des Garçons, was awarded the final medal for her five-decade career.
The four medal winners were announced ahead of next week’s London Design Festival. They will receive their medals at a ceremony on 16 September.
“The 2024 London Design Medal winners exemplify the remarkable diversity and ingenuity that define our design and creative industries today,” said London Design Festival director Ben Evans.
“Their work demonstrates the boundless potential of design to inspire change, challenge conventions, and shape our future,” he continued. “We celebrate their extraordinary achievements and thank them for their impactful contributions to the global design community and beyond.”
Previous winners of the London Design Medals include AKT II’s Hanif Kara, Oscar-winning costume designer Sandy Powell and British designer Ilse Crawford.
London Design Festival takes place from 14 to 22 September 2024. See our London Design Festival guide on Dezeen Events Guide for information about the many other exhibitions, installations and talks taking place throughout the week.
