Winning Combinations SILHOUETTE AWARDS
In an online ceremony held on Friday 28 February, the winning mentees for the fourth edition of the Silhouette Awards were revealed, with each winner paired with their mentor.
The Silhouette Awards has revealed the winners of this year’s programme, recognising exceptional emerging talent in the lighting industry. Now in its fourth year, the awards continue to provide a unique platform for aspiring designers, offering a six-month mentorship with industry leaders to foster professional growth and innovation. This year’s programme received a record number of submissions from 26 countries, reflecting the awards’ growing global influence. The 20 winners were revealed during a virtual celebration that took place on Friday 28 February. This year’s Silhouette Awards Winners and their Mentors are: • Agathe Tiret, mentored by Ratna Kumari • Allison Lau, mentored by Shahrzad Abtahi • Anthony George Girgis, mentored by Armaghan Ahmadi Venhari • Diana Andrea Niño Bogoya, mentored by Ximena Munoz Abogabir • Gabriel Pinheiro, mentored by Cherine Saroufim • Göknur Kayır, mentored by Sergio Boccia • Ksenia Chubenko, mentored by Tim Hunt • Lally Widelska, mentored by Philip Hammond • Lucie Koháková, mentored by Marcos Juarez • Lucrezia Seghi, mentored by Lee Barker-Field • Luis Mora, mentored by Patricia Lopez Yanez • Maya Gribby, mentored by Daniel Blaker • Melissa Toasa, mentored by Sacha Abizadeh • Petra Koza, mentored by Eugenia Cheng • Petros Kitsantas, mentored by Vinod Pillai • Rezvan Shahrabi Farahani, mentored by Maneck Tandon • Santiago Navarro, mentored by Magdalena Gomez • Sudipti Varadharajan, mentored by Camila Blanco • Tiago Winer, mentored by Fabiana Nery Pardhanani • Zahra Shojaei, mentored by Andy Powell Over the next six months, these talented individuals will engage in personalised mentorships, enhancing their skills and advancing their career aspirations. Sudipti Varadharajan, mentee said: “I’m truly delighted to have the 030 / 031
opportunity to share my research by creating awareness and educating the lighting design industry through guided mentorship. I see the ever-evolving lighting design industry growing as more people witness how the language of light is communicated in everything we see and are encapsulated in. I’m beyond excited to be paired with Camila, a great mentor who shares my passion for preserving and storytelling light, science, and art altogether.” Varadharajan’s mentor, Camila Blanco, added: “I’m delighted to be paired with Sudipti, who shares my passion for museum lighting, making this journey even more meaningful. Over the next few months, I plan to help her refine her skills, explore new creative ideas, and confidently navigate the industry. Mentorship is a two-way exchange, and I’m excited to learn from her perspectives just as much as I share my own.” Another one of this year’s parings Luis Mora, mentored by Patricia Lopez Yanez stated: “I’m grateful to have been selected and to have Patricia as a mentor. She has had an interesting career, and I’m happy to have someone to help me clarify what I want to do with my career. It’s not easy these days after graduating from university and facing a world with many areas of architecture to explore!” Lopez Yanez added: “I am honoured to be a mentor in the Silhouette Awards programme, as my own mentors have profoundly shaped my career and personal growth. To me, mentorship is about inspiring vision, challenging conventions, and shaping the future of our industry. Over the next few months, my goal is to guide Luis in refining his vision, thinking boldly and strategically, and building the confidence to carve his own path.” The programme benefits not only the mentees but also the mentors, enriching the industry by nurturing creativity and innovation. Sacha Abizadeh who is mentoring Melissa Toasa, said: “Being a mentor in the Silhouette Awards programme is an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s an opportunity to support emerging talent, share insights, and