‘Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful’, advised the influential British designer William Morris (1834-1896), known not only for his signature floral and botanical prints but also for his socialist principles and belief in a responsible approach to beauty, purpose, craftsmanship and production. So what would he make of his now infinitely reproduced patterns plastered across everything from shower curtains to phone cases, dentist waiting rooms to shopping centres? It makes for a complicated, but extraordinary, legacy – one that's explored in glorious blooming detail by a new exhibition, ‘Morris Mania: How Britain’s greatest designer went viral’, at William Morris Gallery in London (5 April-21 September 2025).
‘Morris Mania’ at William Morris Gallery, London
Eyemask, Strawberry Thief design
Nike Trainers, Willow design
Marking 75 years of the gallery – located in Morris’ Grade II*-listed former home and displaying the world's largest collection of his work – the show celebrates his output while also taking a chance to unravel the changing dynamic of design in the modern world. Removed from their original context – tied to Morris’ beliefs in responsibility towards nature and creative working conditions – many of his designs are now mass-produced or computer-generated copies to accommodate capitalist consumption; resulting goods may also be contributing to the environmental crisis.
Past Times mug
‘Morris Mania’ carefully tightropes between championing the creativity of the designer, and considering his impact in the context of an increasingly commodified world.
It also explores how skilled craftsmanship and pride in making something well are still at the forefront for many contemporary creatives – and for those that purchase their work. A section of the exhibition examines some of the instances where Morris’ work continues to be produced by skilled artisans.
Objects on display in ‘Morris Mania’ include those from the gallery as well as private collections, such as ‘Willow’ pattern Nike trainers, a ‘Rose’ patterned seat from the 1980s British Nuclear Submarine Fleet, and Loewe fashion inspired by Morris’ designs.
There are also Morris-patterned objects donated by the public. Adding a personal touch, visitors are encouraged to continue to lend and donate their own Morris-print objects throughout the course of the exhibition. Donations so far include chopsticks, a waving cat from Japan, hand-embroidered wedding jackets, Wellington boots and an array of mugs and biscuit tins.
As well as browsing the array of prints, wallpapers and objects, visitors can also enjoy a series of talks and events happening within the gallery.
'Morris Mania', 5 April-21 September 2025, William Morris Gallery, London, wmgallery.org.uk
-
Masters of midcentury modern design and their creations spotlighted in new book‘Mid-Century Modern Designers’ is a new book from Phaidon celebrating those who shaped the period and their notable creations, from furniture to objects
-
Drafting nine international artists, Gucci’s ‘90 x 90’ project transforms its silk scarf into a creative canvasPart of Gucci’s ‘The Art of Silk’ initiative, the project sees nine artists riff on the Italian fashion house’s most memorable motifs, from lush depictions of flora and fauna to its signature horsebit
-
Every new Rolex watch unveiled at Watches & Wonders 2025Our editors are on the ground at the biggest trade show in the horological calendar, where key industry players take the stage. Here, we spotlight Rolex as it reveals its new wave of watches
-
A new London show explores material magic with medieval melancholyInspired by deconsecrated monasteries, interior designer and curator Jermaine Gallacher takes us on a journey through time and mood in a London exhibition at The Ragged School
-
Wallpaper* takes a turn around Somerset House for Collect 2025Our round-up of the highlights from the 21st edition of the collectible craft and design fair in London
-
‘It’s a museum-like jewel box’: L’Objet marks 20 years of elegant design with a new London flagshipOpening on 12 March 2025, L’Objet’s new London boutique is rich in chocolate colours and velvet detailing
-
'It’s indisputable that craft has enormous value socially, culturally, economically': interrogating the case for craft in contemporary lifeAhead of next week's 21st edition of Collect, the world's leading fair for collectible craft, we sit down with Natalie Melton, executive director of the Crafts Council, to talk about making a living from making
-
This Beirut design collective threads untold stories into upholstered antique furnitureBeirut-based Bokja opens a Notting Hill pop-up that's a temple to textiles, from upholstered furniture to embroidered cushions crafted by artisans (until 25 March 2025)
-
This ethereal Chennai home is a celebration of Indian craft and cultureDesigned by Multitude of Sins, this Chennai home is an artisanal trove of rich texture and secret garden-like design. Wallpaper* speaks with design principal Smita Thomas on crafting the space
-
'A creative explosion' in the West End: Sarabande Foundation takes residency at SelfridgesSarabande Foundation's ‘House of Bandits’ takes up residence with gusto in Selfridges for nine weeks
-
‘I began experimenting and haven’t really stopped,’ Miranda Keyes on working with glassIn a rapidly changing world, the route designers take to discover their calling is increasingly circuitous. Here we speak to Miranda Keyes about her forging her own path to success
