Four Names Shaping the Future of Design: London Design Medals 2026 Winners Announced

The winners of the 2026 London Design Medals were announced on the evening of Monday, September 14, at a ceremony held at RH London, The Gallery in Mayfair. Presented as part of the London Design Festival, these awards brought together visionary and innovative names who have left their mark across diverse fields—from education to high fashion, speculative design to inclusive food technologies—on the same stage.

Lifetime Achievement Medal: Sir Christopher Frayling

Sir Christopher Frayling received this special medal, presented to figures who have guided the design world for decades, from the hands of Sir Tristram Hunt. A cultural historian, academic, and one of the most passionate advocates of design education, Frayling co-founded the postgraduate Design History program with the V&A Museum during his tenure as Rector of the Royal College of Art (RCA). Having also served as Chair of Arts Council England and the Design Council, Frayling played a key role in shaping the UK’s creative industry policies.

London Design Medal: Jonathan Anderson

Considered the industry’s most prestigious honor, the London Design Medal was presented to Jonathan Anderson by Es Devlin CBE. Bringing high fashion together with traditional craft through his creative direction work at LOEWE and Christian Dior, alongside his own label JW Anderson, Anderson approaches design with curatorial intelligence. Through the LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize, launched in 2016, he continues to support the discipline of contemporary craft on a global scale.

Design Innovation Medal: Anab Jain

The medal rewarding entrepreneurship and innovative design processes went to Anab Jain, co-founder of the Superflux studio. Receiving the award from Justine Simons OBE, Jain works on speculative design and future climate scenarios at her London-based studio co-founded with Jon Ardern. Conducting collaborative projects with institutions like the United Nations and Google DeepMind, the artist transforms complex and systemic future constructs into tangible experiences.

Emerging Design Medal: Solveiga Pakštaitė

Presented by Jemma Read CBE, the Emerging Design Medal went to Solveiga Pakštaitė, industrial designer and founder of Mimica. Pakštaitė achieved major success by inventing the temperature-sensitive Bump label, which communicates food freshness tactitly to prevent food waste and assist visually impaired individuals. Most recently, the artist continues to expand the boundaries of accessible design with her inclusive and customizable footwear system project, Looplets.