SEMINAR 1 & 4
Global Trends & Future Furnishings
Jennifer Castoldi, Trendease (Paris)

Wed 4 Feb 2009: 9.45am – 10.45am &
Thu  5 Feb 2009: 12noon – 1.00pm (repeat)

World renowned French trend expert Jennifer Castoldi will take an in depth look at the global market shifts and their impact on the Australian home furnishing industry.  Gain an insight into new developments in the interiors industry that are guaranteed to inspire you.

Jennifer Castoldi, Trendease
Jennifer Castoldi is the founder of Trendease International.  Launched in 2004, Trendease is an online design and style publication acting as a resource for the home fashion, design and lifestyle industries. Travelling extensively to gather visions images from shops, showrooms, trade fairs, exhibits, and design shows, Jennifer aims to inspire through the use of these images accompanied by interviews and articles.  

SEMINAR 2
Eco Chic Design
Michelle Adams, Rubie Green (New York)

Wed 4 Feb 2009: 12noon – 1.00pm

What does it mean to design an eco-friendly home, and how is it done with style?  Join new sensation Michelle Adams, New York based textile designer and advocate of sustainable design, as she highlights trends in American interiors, exploring how they can be reinterpreted to design chic, eco-friendly homes.

Michelle Adams, Rubie Green
New York based textile designer Michelle Adams promotes eco-chic style.  When working on the editorial staff of domino magazine (USA) Michelle discovered a gap in the market for stylish eco-friendly home goods and decided to combine her two passions; design and sustainability.  In 2008 Michelle formed her own company, Rubie Green, designing and manufacturing organic upholstery fabrics.  She has since been featured in publications worldwide and is expanding her company with the introduction of a bedding line in 2009. 

SEMINAR 3
The Paradox of Design – Passion & Professionalism
Meryl Hare, Hare + Klein Interior Design (Australia)

Thu 5 Feb 2009; 9.45am – 10.45am

Keeping the passion going means feeding the creative spirit!  With over 30 years industry experience, and having just returned from Maison & Objet, Meryl Hare, from award winning Hare + Klein Interior Design, will use the latest trends to share her view on how to work inspiration into projects, without losing perspective.

Meryl Hare, Hare + Klein
Having been in the industry for 30 years, Meryl started Hare + Klein 20 years ago when she arrived in Sydney from South Africa.  A Fellow of the Design Institute of Australia and President of the SIDA Foundation, Meryl has won many awards over the years, the most recent being ‘Winner 2008 IDA awards - Interior Decoration’ and ‘Winner 2008 Best of State NSW - Interior Design’. 

SEMINAR 5
Colour Stories for 2009 & Beyond
Bree Leech, Texture (Australia)

Fri 6 Feb 2009; 9.45am – 10.45am

What are the stories shaping colour for 2009 and beyond? An increasingly important element in all facets of design from brand image to backyard, every colour combination sets out to tell a story. Colour and Trend designer Bree Leech presents the stories that will inspire future colour directions and trends for 2009 and beyond.

Bree Leech, Texture
With extensive experience in colour and trend forecasting, Bree has been has been Colour & Trend designer at Godfrey Hirst Carpets for the past five years.  Most recently launching her own company texture, Bree provides key colour and trend information as well as editorial, advertising and interior styling services. Regularly researching international and local design trends, Bree is able to provide creative direction for various marketing projects in the interior industry.

Mary-Anne Kyriakou, Meinhardt Light Art
With twelve years experience in architectural lighting design, Mary-Anne Kyriakou is the Director of Meinhardt Light Art, having worked there for the past five years.   Encompassing projects in Australia and South East Asia, Mary-Anne’s experience in architectural lighting has led to her appointment as the director for Australia’s first sustainable light festival ‘Smart Light Sydney’, a new sustainable light event to be held in Sydney in April 2009.