Silhouette Awards 5-Year Celebration | London Community Event

Join us in London as we celebrate five years of the Silhouette Awards with an afternoon of talks, mentor–mentee reflections, global voices, and an evening reception bringing together the international lighting design community.

Since its launch, the Silhouette Awards has championed mentorship, professional growth, and meaningful exchange across the global lighting industry. This milestone event celebrates five years of connection, learning, and community — including 100 mentors paired with 100 mentees across the programme.

Hosted at BDP’s London studio, the event will bring together mentors, mentees, sponsors, partners, emerging designers, and international contributors for a curated evening of reflection, inspiration, and celebration.

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CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
16:30–18:45
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The conference programme will feature a curated series of short talks, mentor–mentee conversations, keynote reflections, and international video contributions from selected voices across the Silhouette Awards mentorship programme.

This year’s discussions will focus on:
– mentorship & exchange
– leadership & creative growth
– confidence & identity
– career development
– challenges, lessons & professional evolution
– and the importance of community within the lighting industry

The evening will open with a keynote reflection by renowned lighting designer Michael Grubb (Mentor, Year 1).

Confirmed speakers and contributors include:

Melissa Toasa (Mentee, Year 4)
Sacha Abizadeh (Mentor, Year 4)
Tiago Winer (Mentee)
Fabiana Nery Pardhanani (Mentor, Year 4)
Marcy Song (Mentor, Year 1)
Gary Thornton (Mentor, Year 2)
Du Xueqi (Mentee, Year 5)
Maria Laura Porselli (Mentee, Year 5)
Tiziana Regalado (Mentee, Year 4)
Andra Munro (Mentee, Year 3)
Kristina Alison (Mentor, Year 2)

The conference will also feature “Global Voices”, a series of international video contributions from mentors and mentees across the wider Silhouette Awards community, including:

Iftikhar Ilyas (Year 5)
Sidharth Mathur (Year 2)
Eugenia Cheng (Year 4)
Emrah Baki Ulas (Year 5)
Petros Kitsantas (Year 4)
Sudipti Varadharajan (Year 4)
Valeria Coghi (Year 2)
Sam Koerbel (Year 1)
Farahbee Rahman (Year 2)
Anthony Girgis (Year 4)
Mashara Bhatia (Year 3)
Martin Klaasen (Year 1,2)

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EVENING RECEPTION & CELEBRATION
18:45–21:30
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An evening of networking, exchange, drinks, bites, and celebration with mentors, mentees, sponsors, and the wider international lighting design community as we mark five years of mentorship, growth, and meaningful industry connection.

Expect curated moments, community exchange, and a few special surprises throughout the evening.

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ATTENDANCE & REGISTRATION
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The event is open to the wider lighting and design community, and all attendees are kindly requested to register in advance due to limited capacity.

Attendance is complimentary for independent lighting designers, mentors, mentees, students, and invited guests of the Silhouette Awards community.

Manufacturers and industry professionals wishing to attend are warmly welcome to join through the available industry support tickets, helping support the delivery of the conference programme and evening celebration together with our event sponsors.

Spaces are limited and early registration is strongly encouraged.

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WITH THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS & SPONSORS
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Conference Sponsor: Signify Academy
Evening Reception Sponsor: Studio Due
Entertainment Sponsor: Formalighting
Tote Bag Sponsor: 181- One Eighty One
Press Partner: arc / darc media
Venue Partner: BDP

An event curated by the Silhouette Awards team, Parrot PR & Marketing and Archifos

Info: Arrive on time to get the best seat for the conference section. Expect insightful conversations, empowerment and lots of ideas for your career growth!

Info: Introductions from the Silhouette Awards team and the Conference Sponsor

Info: The conference programme will feature a curated series of short talks, mentor–mentee conversations, and reflective presentations from selected voices across the SA mentorship programme.

Confirmed speakers include Melissa Toasa (Mentee, Year 4), Sacha Abizadeh (Mentor, Year 4), Tiago Winer (Mentee), Fabiana Nery Pardhanani (Mentor, Year 4), Marcy Song (Mentor, Year 1), Gary Thornton (Mentor, Year 2), Du Xueqi (Mentee, Year 5), Maria Laura Porselli (Mentee, Year 5), Tiziana Regalado (Mentee, Year 4), and Andra Munro (Mentee, Year 3).

The conference will also feature “Global Voices”, a series of international video contributions from mentors and mentees across the wider SA community, including Iftikhar Ilyas (Year 5), Sidharth Mathur (Year 2), Eugenia Cheng (Year 4), Emrah Baki Ulas (Year 5), Petros Kitsantas (Year 4), Sudipti Varadharajan (Year 4), Valeria Coghi (Year 2), Sam Koerbel (Year 1), Farahbee Rahman (Year 2), Anthony Girgis (Year 4), and Mashara Bhatia (Year 3)

Info: An evening of networking, exchange, drinks, bites, and celebration with mentors, mentees, sponsors, and the wider international lighting design community as we mark five years of mentorship, growth, and meaningful industry connection. Expect curated moments, community exchange, and a few special surprises throughout the evening.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

BDP, 16 Brewhouse Yard, London, United Kingdom

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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