This year, The Decorative Fair is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Launched in 1985 by the late antiques dealer Patricia Harvey as The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair, it was a pioneering event – the first in the country to provide a fresh alternative to the ubiquitous ‘brown’ look of traditional antique showcases. There was nothing stuffy about it.
Its three Fairs (Spring, Autumn and Winter) are now among the cornerstones of the design calendar in London. With its treasure-trove selection and relaxed air, it draws designers and collectors from around the world. And while there are always fine and rare pieces to be found, what makes the Fair unique is its eclectic mix, priced at the more decorative end of the market.
The Fair’s journey has been remarkable, blossoming from just 44 exhibitors at the Kensington Hilton into a vibrant series of events in Battersea Park’s exhibition space Evolution London. It features around 130 exhibitors, who deal in everything from traditional furniture, art and textiles to vintage items, tribal art and curiosities.
‘In the very early days, there was a lot of Victoriana and highly decorated furniture,’ recalls longtime exhibitor Helen Linfield. ‘Now, it is more 20th-century, designer-led pieces, refined period furniture and timeless country house antiques.’
You could argue the Fair has been a leading voice in the aesthetic conversation, influencing how decoration is viewed. ‘It has helped demystify the art of buying and selling antiques,’ says interior designer Mary Graham of Salvesen Graham. ‘It shows how styles can sit together, reinforcing our belief that if a piece is well designed and well made, it’ll work in any scheme. We’ve bought many pieces over the years; everything is so good, you can’t wait around.’
The eclecticism of the Fair’s exhibitors remains a major draw for industry insiders. In recent years, a new wave of dealers, such as Dorian Caffot de Fawes, Cal Smith, Two Poems Gallery and Florence Evans, have expanded their offerings beyond 20th-century classics to reflect movements such as 1970s Brutalism, ensuring it resonates with a younger audience.
‘I love the Fair’s variety – not just of styles and periods, but in how dealers approach them – as well as the range of pieces at sensible price points,’ says Dorian. ‘You can almost furnish an entire home here, in a laidback yet curated setting.’
This sense of discovery is echoed by Ed Foster of Foster & Gane: ‘For us, the thrill lies in finding something that gives you a jolt to the heart, whether a piece of Roman porphyry or an art nouveau vase. It brings together dealers who share this passion.’
Forty years into its history, the Fair is as relevant as ever, especially in light of the global changes affecting the field. ‘With the closing of many shops, I’ve come to rely on Battersea for sourcing unique pieces,’ says Los Angeles-based decorator and textile designer Rose Tarlow. ‘Every season, it gets better with new dealers emerging and incredible finds to explore.’
A longtime overseas attendee, Rose once brought Oprah Winfrey along to hunt for treasures. And she is not the only celebrity to grace the preview days – always a whirlwind of excitement. A few years ago, while she was working on his London house, Rose Uniacke took David Beckham round the Fair, sparking plenty of selfies.
As Helen says, ‘Battersea’s ongoing success can largely be attributed to its ability to keep pace with the fashion landscape, offering a multitude of disciplines without losing authenticity.’ But more than anything, its secret lies in the fact that everyone – organisers, dealers, visitors – loves being there. It is an experience to enjoy.
The Autumn Decorative Fair is at Evolution London, SW11, on September 30-October 5; tickets from £10. decorativefair.com
