London Design Festival kicks off on September 17 with 400 programs, exhibitions, events, and special features across the UK’s capital.Highlights this year include the 10th  anniversary of the “Celebration of Design” Awards with the support of British Land; the Global Design Forum (September 17-23 at the V&A Museum), plus numerous offerings at the Festival’s Design Districts, Design Destinations, and events.For all those looking for inspiration, here’s 10 things to do and see during the nine-day festival, from anniversary cocktails in Brompton to a David Bowie-themed Design Trail in Brixton, and from cutting-edge installations at the V&A Museum to the latest luxury interiors at 100% Design trade show.The London Design Festival runs from September 17-25, 2016 at various locations in London. Click here for more info.See a preview in the slide show.Landmark Project: “The Smile” by Alison Brooks Architects Commissioned by the London Design Festival, the “Landmark Projects” feature innovative solutions by leading designers and architects around the world. This year, Alison Brooks Architects demonstrate what wood can do with “The Smile” installation:  a 34-meter arc, or rather tubular pavilion that resembles a gigantic see-saw. The structure was constructed of cross-laminated hard wood—a revolutionary use of the material—and created in collaboration with the American Hardwood Export Council and ARUP. Located in the vicinity of Chelsea College of Art and Design and Tate Britain, “The Smile” is open to the public throughout the festival. (Click here for more information.) Another LDF installation commissioned with a partner includes a three-part work by architect Asif Khan for Mini Living, consisting of three “forest bathing spaces”, which will be open to the public in Shoreditch (more info here).Victoria & Albert MuseumVictoria & Albert Museum is London Design Festival’s central hub and will showcase numerous special installations and programs during the event, from Mathieu Lehanneur’s impressive 3D water study “Liquid Marble” to Glithero’s massive six story kinetic installation “The Green Room” in the stairwell. Istanbul’s Tabanlıoğlu Architects will present an interpretation of Turkish author Sabahattin Ali’s 1943 novel “Madonna in a Fur Coat,” showcasing a 13-meter mirrored box on the bridge over the V&A Museum’s Medieval & Renaissance galleries; British design entrepreneur Benjamin Hubert (Layer) and Braun will show an immersive installation titled “FOIL” in the Tapestry gallery—an installation of 50,000 mirror-finish stainless steel panels on a 20- by 1.2-meter undulating ribbon. Also located here: the London Design Festival shop, created this year by Swiss-born, London-based design duo Loris Jaccard and Livia Lauber. (Click here for more info on the V&A Museum at London Design Festival as well as current exhibitions at the museum)London Design BiennaleThe Inaugural London Design Biennale is already in full swing at Somerset House, presenting internationally curated contributions by top designers and teams from 37 countries and six continents. Modeled after the Architecture and Art Biennales in Venice, the event brings together a range of contemporary perspectives, from an immersive “Wish Machine” by Turkish duo Autoban to a first-aid distribution system “Aid-Drop” for disaster areas by Israeli designer Yaniv Kadosh—an international panorama of perspectives on design and what it can do to make the world a better place. (Click here for more info. Click here to read an interview with Biennale director Christopher Turner).Sir John Soane’s Museum: Below StairsSir John Soane’s Museum recently completed its seven-year and  £7 million renovation project “Opening Up the Sloane,” reconstructing the Georgian house and museum to the original design of its founder, architect and collector Sir John Soane. On the occasion of the London Design Festival, the museum will celebrate the opening of its Regency kitchens with an exhibition titled “Below Stairs”, featuring contributions by designers Jasper Morrison, Paul Cocksedge, Barber & Osgerby, and Martino Gamper. (Click here for more information)London Design Fair2016  sees the launch of the London Design Fair, the new “umbrella brand” for former Tent London & Super Brands London plus international trade showcases—with an extra 3,500 square meters on the third floor of the Old Truman Brewery in East London. This year, the fair puts a special focus on design from its guest country India, as well as introducing two trade-only days. Visitors can look forward to the latest in furniture, lighting, textiles, materials, and conceptual installations from all over the world. (Click here for more information and the full exhibitor’s list.)  100% Design Heralded as the “commercial cornerstone” of the London Design Festival and “the UK’s largest design trade show,” 100% Design returns to Olympia in Kensington in its 22nd edition. Next to special focuses on subsections Interiors, the Workplace, Kitchens & Bathrooms, and Design & Build, this year’s 100% Design has chosen “Experience” as its overall theme, investigating how  “design guides, frames and improves the ways that we live, work and consume,” in a number of commissioned installations, as well as inviting visitors to share how they experience design. (Click here for more information, the complete exhibitor’s list, as well as the fair’s talk program)Decorex InternationalThe UK fair for luxury interiors, Decorex International at Syon Park, has chosen “The Roots of Design” as this year’s theme, presenting more than 400 exhibitors, who will be showcasing new collections to an international audience of trade professionals. This year’s seminar program includes more than 50 speakers; gourmets can also look forward to a luxury street food market, among many others highlights. (Click here for more information). DesignjunctionDesignjunction will set up an “immersive design experience” with eight giant Monopoly-style houses on Granary Square in King’s Cross, “filled with conceptual installations, creative projects and live activities” by leading brands from various disciplines. Also on the agenda: the festival’s “largest open air design party” on September 21. (Click here for more information.) Brixton Design Trail: Honoring David BowieBrixton Design Trail in London Design Festival’s youngest district returns for the third time, presenting a lineup of over 40 events this year. “Rebel Rebel”, the 2016 theme, pays tribute to Brixton’s most famous and most creative son, David Bowie. Highlights include the Animating Brixton series, with large scale art commissions exploring various public spaces; guided walks to new and established street art and murals, a “youth trail”, open studios, fun food, and exhibitions. (Click here for more information and the entire line-up)Brompton Design District: The Brompton CocktailBrompton is celebrating its tenth anniversary as a London Design Festival Design District—with an ongoing cocktail party. The drinks, both real and conceptual variations, were created by design alumni and will be served as part of an installation by Arabeschi di Latte in partnership with Bitossi Glass. (Click here for more information) Read more