First Design Forum in India draws leading global experts

New Delhi: After fashion and art, the world of design now has an exclusive international event dedicated to it with focus on the future of design and the role India is poised to play. Over 40 experts from all over the world will converge here to talk about the power of design across disciplines including architecture, product, industrial, fashion and graphic design and more. Curated by Rajshree and Aishwarya Pathy, co-founders of Coimbatore Centre of Contemporary Arts (CoCCA), the India Design Forum (IDF)is scheduled to be held on March 9-10. Celebrated industrial designer Karim Rashid known for his quirky design products ranging from interiors, fashion, furniture, lighting, art, music to installations will talk on the Power of Design. Trendsetter, curator and publisher Lidewij Edelkoort, entrepreneur Sam Pitroda, design instructor Tim Marshall, designer Satyendra Pakhale, award-winning design critic Justin McGuirk would be talking about various facets of design. Indian experts like automobile designer Dilip Chabaria, graphic designer Sujata Keshavan, fashion designers Manish Arora, Shilpa Chavan would also talk at the event. Artist Jitish Kallat, who has been widely exhibited globally has been scheduled to address a session "Talking to a building" moderated by Anupam Poddar, Director, Devi Art Foundaton. Other artists include Thukral and Tagra and Aditya Pande. Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dixit is also participating in a session titled "Created in India" which features entreprenuer Aman Nath, automobile designer Dilip Chhabria, and designer Michael Foley. A private session on Trend Union Seminar in India (Design and Fashion forecasting) held by Lidewij Edelkoort - one of the most influential trend forecasters in the world will be organised by Gajam Jewellers. Another session is devoted to the best design ideas of the year hosted by Paola Antonelli, senior curator of the US-based Musuem of Modern Art. The city of Chandigarh, designed by architect Le Corbusier forms the focus of a seperate session at the Forum. In the run up to the IDF, the city has been celebrating a Design Week that started on March 2 with the artist Jagannath Panda`s installation "Meeting of History". Jewellery designers Prateek Jain and Gautam Seth showcased their desings inspired by heritage jewellery. A string of designers played upon very mundane and ordinary items like kitchen ware, food bowls and box sets, each conceptualised using modern technology. Fashion designers Shivan and Narresh showcased their new swim wear collection attempting to change the way Indians view swim wear. Four Japanese designers showed a special presentation for IDF during the Design Week. PTI