London’s Design Museum – like many around the world – is currently closed. In response, it is pushing into the digital realm with an innovative online programme of talks and live streams. This week, two pioneers of the design world come together to discuss sustainable fashion and architecture.

#DesignDispatches is weekly talk series featuring with renowned names in the industry. On 16 May, fashion designer Stella McCartney is in conversation with David Adjaye – an architect renowned for buildings including the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. In 2019, Design Museum held a retrospective of his work, asking the questions: how can a building, rather than words, be used to tell stories? Adjaye’s work reflects on history and memory, turning human experience into physical monuments.

McCartney’s brand is concerned with ethics, believing it is responsible for the resources it uses and the impact it has on the environment. It continues to explore innovative ways to become more sustainable. One such example is by supporting circularity – embracing new business models that will transform how clothes are produced, sold, shared, repaired and reused. In this way, it promotes long lasting product with extended use to reduce environmental impact.

The Museum’s Director, Tim Marlow, will host the discussion – exploring creative process, championing sustainable fashion and architecture, and offering advice for new and emerging designers. Other interviews– which can be streamed on Instagram TV – feature sustainable fashion designer Christopher Raeburn and London based artist Morag Myerscough, whose work is characterised by bright colour.

These digital initiatives encourage audiences and practitioners alike to move forward with ideas. They create an essential space for imagination and visions of the future. As Josephine Chanter, Director of Audiences, notes: “During this crisis, we want to share with our audiences a time of experimentation, reflection and understanding and hopefully to find some solace in the optimism of design.”

The #DesignDispatches conversation takes place 16 May at 14.00 GMT+1. Find out more here.

Lead image: The building for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture was designed by Tanzanian-born Briton David Adjaye. Photograph: Alan Karchmer