‘Creative, vibrant, and a little unexpected.’ Last night, House & Garden brought together the very best of the British design community to celebrate the HG101 power list, our annual compendium of creatives who are shaping how we live. The evening unfolded in the design-forward heart of east London, at the trendy Shoreditch Arts Club. The venue was a spirited departure from more familiar postcodes.
Within a maze of dynamic video walls, a cross-section of the industry gathered, united by a shared commitment to original and innovative interior design and architecture. The occasion, hosted by our editor, Talib Choudhry, reflected the breadth and ingenuity of those featured on the list. In his welcome speech, Talib acknowledged not only individual achievement, but a wider movement within British design that feels increasingly exciting. ‘The 101 list is, at its heart, a tribute to creativity and the enduring power of thoughtfully conceived spaces,’ he said. ‘Each name on it represents design excellence and a distinct point of view – something we feel is more important than ever in the age of algorithms and anodyne mimicry.’
No reflection on the night would be complete without mention of this year’s singular addition to the roster: the V&A East Storehouse. Standing apart from the exclusive interiors that've historically been celebrated in the list, it acknowledges design's power to author meaningful change. As Talib noted, it is ‘a moment within the 101 where we step out of private spaces and celebrate design’s impact on the public realm, a project that not only inspires, but invites participation.’
Among last night’s guests, debut honourees stood alongside industry veterans, each in their own right deserving of such recognition. The former group included Emma Ainscough, Brian Woulfe and the Albion Nord team, all of whom have, in recent months, made a notable impression on House & Garden’s audience, both online and in print. Familiar faces included Beata Heuman, Christian Bense, Charu Gandhi, Max Rollitt and Rachel Chudley, amongst others.
As the evening unfolded, guests drifted towards an unexpected highlight of the venue – a powder-pink cinema room, where House & Garden's new V&A East Storehouse film, The 100 Go to the One, was screened ahead of its official release. Below we look back at a joyful evening of design camaraderie.
The 2026 HG101 is presented in association with Artemest and Decorex, whose ongoing support reflects a shared belief in championing exceptional design.
