Being a huge kid and a massive devotee of retro toys, robots, collectibles and the like, I was instantly entranced by this amazingly colourful window display at Liberty’s. However on closer inspection, it’s not just a showcase of kitsch playthings - it’s actually part of an installation by Michael Wolf, called The Real Toy Story, promoting the China Design Now exhibition at the V&A.

Over 75% of the world’s cheap mass-produced plastic toys are produced in China: the installation showcases 20,000 of these alongside photos of the factory workers who produce them.

The project was conceived when the artist bought a huge sack of c. 600 second hand toys from his local charity shop as a surprise for his son - and discovered that every single one was made in China. His son was not only amazed by the fabulous array of toys, but surprised to learn that toys weren’t in fact made by Santa and his helpers!

Powerful stuff.