Search Speakers: Design Indaba 2008

Li Edelkoort is a trend forecaster, educator, curator and publisher based in Paris. She has fostered design’s creative talent as chairwoman of the Design Academy Eindhoven between 1998 and 2008.

Born in Prieska, South Africa, and graduating from Cape Town Technikon with a degree in graphic design, Oona Scheepers has established herself as a prolific designer in the automotive industry. She believes “every line has a function” and that direct communication is the golden rule to guarantee good automotive design.

Paul Smith’s introduction into fashion was completely accidental. It involved a cycling mishap, a chance meeting in the hospital and an introduction to Mondrian, Warhol, David Bailey, Kokoshka, the Rolling Stones and Miles Davis.

With 32 US utility patents behind his name, as well as a host of outstanding achievements, BusinessWeek calls Tucker Viemeister “Guru”.

A prolific designer, illustrator and collage artist, Ivan Chermayeff’s lyrical, expressive style has resulted in iconic images for literally hundreds of clients.

Designer and creative director, Ilse Crawford’s Studioilse creates the big idea behind a brand through its emotional values, and then makes them visible and tangible through design.

Nkhensani Nkosi is one of the new voices from Africa: fashion designer, entrepreneur, television personality and lauded actress. Her distinctive Stoned Cherrie fashion label was born when Nkosi recognised that the urban energy that exists on the continent was not being branded and packaged into products.

South African couturier and avid humanitarian activist, Gavin Rajah is the only fashion designer in the world also named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. He is a co-founder of Cape Town Fashion Week and was the first South African ever to be invited to show his collection at the Paris Fashion Week.

Mike Schalit began his career by failing as a rock musician. In 1982 he tried again at TBWA Hunt Lascaris and emerged as John Hunt’s deputy in 1991. In 1994 Schalit co-founded Net#work with Keith Shipley, where he is currently creative chief.

Mark Dytham graduated from the Royal College of Art in London and established architectural firm Klein Dytham in Tokyo with Astrid Klein in 1991.