Ceramics of Italy

Storytelling through event photography.

Event booth with colorful banner reading 'ITALIA Ceramics of Italy' on a city street, with people walking past and some inside the booth.

The Brief

Capturing the ideas, craftsmanship and connections behind one of London's leading design events.

As part of Clerkenwell Design Week 2026, the Italian Trade Agency commissioned Phocus Collective to photograph Ceramics of Italy, a collective showcase bringing together thirteen of Italy's leading ceramic manufacturers. Hosted in the heart of Clerkenwell, the event welcomed designers, architects, manufacturers and industry professionals to celebrate Italian craftsmanship, innovation and design excellence.

The brief extended far beyond documenting the event itself. Every image needed to communicate the atmosphere of the experience, highlight the participating brands and create a versatile library of photography that could support marketing, press, social media and future communications.

Because the best event photography doesn't simply record what happened.

It captures why it mattered.

A stack of three green, purple, and yellow brochures titled "Generations of Italy" on a white surface with a blurred document in the background.
A stack of three green, purple, and yellow brochures titled "Generations of Italy" on a white surface with a blurred document in the background. 
 Our Approach

Every event has a purpose.

Our role is to understand that purpose and translate it into photography.

Throughout the day, we balanced the scale of the event with the finer details, documenting the spaces, the products, the people and the conversations that defined the experience. Every image was created with longevity in mind, providing organisers, exhibitors and partners with authentic photography for websites, social media, PR, marketing campaigns and future communications.

The Talks

Ideas deserve to be shared beyond the stage.

Throughout the day, we documented keynote presentations and panel discussions across both venues, capturing not only the speakers, but also the engagement, curiosity and conversations each session inspired.

The result is a collection of imagery that reflects the energy of every talk while communicating the value of the ideas being shared long after the event had finished.

A man in a dark suit holding a microphone and paper, speaking at a conference with a screen and a man sitting on a chair behind him.
An elderly man with silver hair and glasses speaking into a microphone during a discussion or presentation, seated in a room with colorful wall panels.
Group of seven people, six men and one woman, standing together at an event with backdrop banners for Italian Design Day and 'Design' sign. They are dressed in formal and casual attire, smiling and posing for a photo.
A woman speaking at a conference, holding a round object and a microphone, with a name tag reading "Laura Marcheggiano, Material Specialist". She has dark curly hair and is wearing a gray blazer.
A man with gray hair and beard, wearing a black shirt, speaking into a microphone during a panel discussion, sitting at a table with bottles of water and glasses, with audience members in the foreground.
A man in a dark suit speaking into a microphone at a podium during a conference or presentation. Behind him is a large screen displaying a presentation slide with text and images of other speakers.
A man with brown curly hair and a beard speaking into a microphone while holding an open paper, standing in front of a blue and red sign with the words 'dD Italian Design'.
Man in black blazer speaking into a microphone during an indoor panel discussion while seated in a modern chair. Audience members are visible in the foreground.
Two men seated at a panel discussion, with one speaking into a microphone and gesturing with his hand, and the other looking down at his notes, in front of a backdrop with the words 'SPACES, OBJECTS, IDEAS, CREATIONS'.
A panel discussion at Italian Design Day with four male speakers seated on stage, one of whom is speaking into a microphone. The stage backdrop has large pink letters spelling 'DESIGN MEETS' and banners from the Italian Trade Agency and related organ

Curated Spaces

Great design deserves to be experienced, not simply displayed.

Across two distinctive venues, the Italian Trade Agency created a series of carefully curated spaces celebrating the very best of Italian design. At St John's Square, the striking Ceramics of Italy pavilion brought together thirteen leading Italian ceramic manufacturers, showcasing innovation, craftsmanship and material excellence in the heart of Clerkenwell Design Week. At Haberdashers' Hall, The Italian Collection and The Italian Hospitality, curated by Giulio Cappellini, explored contemporary Italian living through furniture, materials and timeless design.

Our role was to capture these environments as visitors experienced them. We documented the scale of the installations, the relationship between the products and their surroundings, and the natural flow of people through each carefully curated space.

Through a combination of wide architectural compositions, thoughtful details and authentic moments, we created imagery that communicates not only how these spaces looked, but how they were experienced. The result is a collection that reflects the creativity, craftsmanship and vision behind one of the UK's leading design festivals.

Close-up of a wooden cube structure with red, brown, and beige tiles, positioned in a corner with a green carpet and plain light-colored wall.
Art gallery room with green carpet, white walls, and colorful artwork, including a pixelated pixel art block, a pink floating shelf, and various framed paintings, with modern furniture like a patterned chair and circular tables.
A modern interior space with a black console table, a round mirror with backlighting, and decorative items on top. To the right, there is a framed portrait of a man in historical attire, and a textured round ottoman beside it. The floor is green carp
Pink wall-mounted shelves with no items on them, against a light green wall, with a ceiling light and skylight above.
A black and white patterned chair with gold legs, placed on green carpet, in front of a white wall with a portrait painting hanging above.
Minimalist interior with light green walls, a green carpeted floor, a wooden table with decorative items, and pink wall-mounted shelves.
An art gallery with classical paintings on the white walls, a modern gray bathtub, pink wall shelves, two black trash bins, a transparent green display case, and a green carpeted floor, illuminated by natural light from a skylight.
A minimalist room with a white wall and green carpet, featuring a modern glass sink with a metal faucet and a white base, standing behind a transparent glass partition.
Modern art gallery interior with a framed portrait of a man in historical clothing on a white curved wall, a glass display case on a black pedestal, a contemporary round stool, and a green carpeted floor.
A tall, white, ceramic sculpture with a series of rounded, symmetrical shapes stacked vertically. The sculpture is positioned in front of a mint green wall with a textured vertical art piece and a green carpeted floor.
Contemporary bathroom with two black bidets, pink wall-mounted shelves, and a green carpeted floor.
Minimalist art gallery interior with pastel walls, a pixelated dog sculpture, abstract tables, and modern shelving and lighting.
A dining area featuring a pink marbled tabletop, brown metal chairs with beige cushions, on a green carpet with a white wall and a blue door in the background.
An art gallery room with a blurred person walking past colorful modern artworks and furniture, including a pixelated sculpture, framed paintings, and decorative tables on green carpet.
A modern interior space with a green carpet, white walls, and a black marble wall in the background. Two tall, white, spherical floor lamps are on either side of the marble wall. Vertical windows on either side of the marble wall allow natural light
A woman at a reception desk talking to a guest in an exhibition or event space with green walls and a unique white sculpture on the right.

The Exhibitors

Every exhibitor had a story to tell.

Alongside the wider event coverage, we created dedicated imagery for each participating exhibitor, highlighting materials, textures, finishes and craftsmanship while respecting the identity of every collection.

Rather than isolating the products from their surroundings, we photographed them as part of the wider experience, creating a balanced collection of imagery that celebrates both the individual brands and the event as a whole.

The final photographs provide valuable assets for websites, social media, editorial features, catalogues and future marketing, extending the impact of the event long after it came to a close.

Orange booklet titled 'ermesurelia' on a black marble table in a showroom with fabric samples and tile displays in the background.
Person testing floor tiles by hand, wearing multiple rings, with sample tiles and photographs on display.
Open design catalog displaying interior decor and furniture images on a light-colored table with a small textured pottery vase nearby.
Ceramic tile samples and a brochure for Settecento, a ceramic manufacturing company, on a tiled surface.
A yellow bathroom sink and toilet with a large mirror and a color display poster on the wall showcasing different finishes and colors for bathroom fixtures.
Sample display of terrazzo porcelain tiles in various colors and patterns on a white board.
Person holding a brochure with the question 'Have you ever lived inside an image?' on the front cover, featuring a design split into orange and blue sections.
Close-up of design and architecture books on a white shelf, including titles like "Kimono" and "Quadrille."
Sample rectangular terrazzo tiles in various colors and patterns laid out on a white surface for display.
A collection of light-colored stone and tile samples, including hexagonal, rectangular, and patterned tiles, arranged for comparison or selection.
A wall decorated with multiple square tiles, each with geometric patterns and varying shades of beige and terracotta. Some tiles feature stair-step and arch patterns, creating a modern, abstract design.
Color swatches and paint samples on a surface, with paint pots and color sample cards nearby.
Close-up of different textured, colored tiles on a floor, arranged in a geometric pattern.
Various colored square tiles on a concrete surface with white square tiles arranged in a grid pattern.
A person is selecting a green color sample from a display of various color samples arranged on a table.

The Experience

The success of an event is measured by more than the programme.

It's measured by the experience it creates.

From the first visitors arriving to the final conversations of the day, we documented the energy, movement and engagement that brought Ceramics of Italy to life. Wide environmental photographs showcased the scale of the event, while authentic interactions revealed the conversations, discoveries and connections happening throughout the day.

The result is a collection of images that communicates not only what happened, but why people wanted to be part of it.

A large white event tent with colorful signage reading 'Ceramics of Italy' is set up on a cobblestone street. People are walking by, some are inside the tent, and two individuals are conversing near the entrance.
People examining fabric samples at a trade show or store.
An exhibition tent with booths and displays, featuring the Italian Trade Agency, with people walking and interacting.
People at an exhibition booth examining samples and using smartphones.
Brochures on generative artworks with colorful geometric designs, placed on a white table with a blurred document in the background.
A group of people gathered around a counter in a store, with a man in a navy blue sweater at the center, looking down with a somber expression. The others are focused on the counter or engaged in activities, in a well-lit, modern retail environment.
A woman in a pink blazer and black scarf engaged in conversation with a smiling man in a black blazer, who is leaning on display samples of various colored and textured material samples at a trade show or exhibition.
Two men at a trade show booth, looking at various samples of material or surface finishes on display.
An older man with glasses and white hair wearing a navy blazer, red sweater, and collared shirt, standing in front of a framed portrait painting.
Businesswoman shaking hands with a man at a trade show booth displaying tile samples, while other people engage in conversations around.
Two people browsing different tile samples at an indoor market or store, surrounded by other shoppers.
A group of business professionals, including men and women, engaging in a conversation at a conference or event. They are smiling and appear to be enjoying the interaction. The setting is a modern indoor space with brick walls, large windows, and a w
A woman with blonde hair in a beige coat shopping at a booth with fabric samples, looking at material on a table. Four men are in the background having a discussion, one holding a brochure, inside a well-lit store or market.
People browsing tile samples at a showroom display table.
Crowd of people at an Italiana trade agency event with a sign overhead reading 'ITALIA of official pavilion' and colorful artwork in the background.
A group of four friends at a social gathering, enjoying drinks and taking a photo with another person.
Mini appetizer cups with a red sauce and topped with green herbs on a silver tray.
Trade show inside a large white tent with various booths displaying ceramics and home decor items. People are walking around, browsing, and talking to vendors.
Group of people standing in front of a large colored banner that reads 'CERAMICS OF ITALY'.

Ready to tell your story?

Whether you're organising a conference, exhibition, design festival, product launch or corporate event, we'll create authentic photography that captures the people, ideas and moments that define your event.

From keynote talks and curated spaces to networking, brand activations and product showcases, we create photography that continues working long after the event has ended.

Let's create something people will remember.

Start your project