Sabine Marcelis, one of the international shooting stars in recent design, and Lisa Ertel, industrial designer and co-founder of the Bio Design Lab at the Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design, Karlsruhe, both fuse traditional crafts with current technologies and industrial production methods in individual and innovative ways. Hosted by Susanne Graner, curator of the exhibition »Here We Are! Women in Design 1900 – Today«, the two designers talked about their work, inspiration, and research, and about questions of gender equality with which their careers have confronted them.

The vision and innovative spirit of women entrepreneurs have been critical in shaping modern design. In this conversation, renowned designer and architect Patricia Urquiola gives insight into her experience as an entrepreneur in today’s design world. Pierre Rainero, Image, Style and Heritage Director of Cartier, sheds light on the lifestyle, social environment and work of Jeanne Toussaint, Creative Director of Cartier from 1933 to 1970. Her ideas and approaches to adventurous and elegant design made their mark on Cartier’s stylistic journey. Finally, Estelle Niklès van Osselt, Curator at the Hong Kong Palace Museum, touches upon the topic of women empowerment within the history of jewellery. The talk is hosted by Viviane Stappmanns, curator of the exhibition »Here We Are! Women in Design 1900 – Today« at the Vitra Design Museum.

The Vitra Design Museum and Phaidon present »By Women: Role Models of the Design World,« a conversation with Jane Hall, author of »Woman Made,« Viviane Stappmanns, one of the curators of the exhibition »Here We Are!« and designers Kawther Alsaffar and Gunjan Gupta. In this talk, viewers will learn about Stappmanns' and Hall's research of women in the design canon, cultural imperatives in the practice of furniture design as well as the importance of women role models.

Design shapes our social behaviours and attitudes. On the occasion of the exhibition »Here We Are!«, this discussion sheds light on the works of women designers and their influence in calling for systemic change in society. Alice Rawsthorn, author of »Design as an Attitude« (2018) and co-founder of Design Emergency, is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in design; Matylda Krzykowski is a curator and designer of formats and environments for systemic change. Hosted by curator Viviane Stappmanns, they discuss their research on design as an agent of transformation and equality.