LONDON.- LAPADA, the leading London art fair, is set for a dazzling return to its iconic location in Berkeley Square with confirmed dates set as 27 September to 1 October 2023 (with a preview on the 26th). Participation in the fair has been a major benefit to the trade, providing a glamorous Mayfair location at a pivotal point in the calendar, falling in the heart of the design festival and at the start of Frieze month.

The Berkeley Square Fair, organised by LAPADA since 1993, fulfils the London art market’s need for a top-level fair in the decorative arts, especially amid recent fair closure announcements by major organisers. LAPADA as a trade association feels a pressing responsibility to deliver the fair for London and the trade as well as accommodate as many displaced exhibitors as possible whilst managing the fair’s growth.

LAPADA understands the longer-term consequences of the pandemic and Brexit on both its members and the trade and confidently prepares to produce its event with a new vision and floor plan along with a wave of new strategic partners creating an optimum event.

For the first time, the Berkeley Square Fair will be open to non-member dealers, with association members benefiting from a favourable stand rate. This has already led to several new and existing top-level exhibitors confirming their participation, seeing the fair 50% allocated within just 4 weeks. The Fair is set to sell out and attendance is forecasted to grow substantially.

Dealers who have been quick to confirm their stands include Adrian Alan; Alan Wheatley Art; Architectural Heritage; Butchoff Antiques; Crosta Smith Gallery; Dinan & Chighine; Guelfucci Gallery; Jonathan Cooper Gallery; Hatchwell Antiques; MacConnal-Mason Galleries; N&I Franklin; The Parker Gallery; Sandra Cronan; Spicer Warin; Wick Antiques; Witney Antiques; Willow Gallery; and VKD Jewels.

The new vision for the Berkeley Square Fair is the result of a joint venture between LAPADA and Stable Events, organisers of The Game Fair, at which LAPADA has had a successful pavilion of members annually since 2021. Alongside the UK’s leading art and antiques specialists, visitors can expect to see other collecting disciplines, all with craftsmanship at their core, that will appeal to an ultra-high net worth audience. New well aligned partnerships will see additional opportunities for exhibitors to network with collectors. The first of these partnerships to be announced over the next few weeks.

Speaking about the fair, LAPADA Chief Executive, Freya Simms, comments, “Our mission is to educate and promote the joy of collecting, providing a platform for our exhibitors to share their depth of knowledge with collectors and those who appreciate craftsmanship and heritage. Our location in central Mayfair is key to our success alongside our relationships with Stable Events and PAD which enable us to share resources and operate efficiently.”

The LAPADA Berkeley Square Fair takes place from 26 September to 1 October 2023.