A Journey of Innovation and Mentorship SILHOUETTE AWARDS
Ahead of the announcement of this year’s winners, the Silhouette Awards reminds us of its mission, and of the importance of supporting emerging lighting professionals.
Since its inception, the Silhouette Awards has sought to recognise exceptional emerging talent. The programme was created with the intention of bringing together aspiring individuals within the lighting industry, pairing them with the support, experience and knowledge of a personalised sixmonth mentorship journey. Following the overwhelming success of the first three programmes, the Silhouette Awards is well underway for a fourth year as it continues its mission of providing mentorship support to designers, celebrating future talent in the lighting industry, and creating a supportive platform for inspiration and growth. The awards programme is a collaboration between Archifos and Parrot PR and Marketing and is designed to shine a light on emerging talent in the lighting industry, supporting them as they progress throughout their careers. As the programme looks to mark its 5th year next year, the influence of the Silhouette Awards has expanded significantly, earning it a reputation for being a unique global programme for the growing lighting community. Katia Kolovea of Archifos, Co-Founder of the programme says: “I’m incredibly grateful to travel globally to various industry events and meet people who already know about the Silhouette Awards – asking how to apply, mentor, or offer support. It reflects the collaborative spirit behind our programme and the wonderful sense of community we’re building together. I’m honoured 108 / 109
to work alongside such a dedicated team to create the platform I wish had existed when I started in the industry. Each year, the standard of submissions rises, challenging our mentors and judges to keep pushing boundaries. There’s so much more to come, and I can’t wait to see how this collective effort continues to shape the future of lighting design.” The awards programme is widely recognised for its expansive global reach and inclusivity, with winners representing diverse backgrounds and regions. Over the past three years, the Silhouette Awards has paired 60 mentor-mentee teams, where seasoned designers share their vast knowledge and expertise with up-and-coming talent. These mentors, hailing from all corners of the globe, are not just experts in their field but are also passionate about nurturing the next generation. This year, the Silhouette Awards received a record number of submissions from 26 countries around the world, reflecting the growing global influence. Notably, 71% of applicants were female, with male representation at 29% – a figure that continues to rise each year. As the programme evolves, male designers are encouraged to step forward and take advantage of this mentorship opportunity. Each year, mentors apply for the ‘mentorship role’ and are chosen based on their wealth of experience, diverse backgrounds, and representation from around the globe, ensuring a selection of mentors that are from many