THE CUTTING EDGE OF FASHION: HALA GORANI AND DESIGN 360

The cutting edge of fashion: Hala Gorani and Design 360.

Every Sunday on CNN, Hala Gorani lifts the lid on the complex world of design in Design 360. Seeking out experts in every field from architecture to gadgets, from fashion to travel, the show crosses the globe to investigate the creative process, the social context and ultimately, the business of design.

A feature of every program sees Gorani interview one of the great names from the world of design, and the past 12 months have seen her speak to the most influential and powerful names. From the world of fashion alone, she has spoken to Donatella Versace, Miuccia Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Karl Lagerfield, Stella McCartney, Paul Smith, Vivienne Westwood and Bridgitte Bardot.

Over the program’s first year, Gorani has also interviewed celebrated architects and designers, including Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, Philippe Starck, Lord Norman Foster and Rem Koolhaas.

"Meeting great names in design or fashion is like talking to the inventor of the kitchen blender: you meet the human face behind objects you’ve used for years, chairs you’ve sat in and that have become staples of interiors around the world."

Given the fact that it surrounds us and makes our lives so much easier, design is an art form which has not featured in the media as much as one might expect, as Gorani explains:
"Design is virtually unrepresented on television. When was the last time you saw a story on who designed the suitcase with wheels that you can’t live without?

"Somebody had to come up with that idea, build a prototype and then mass-produce it. Design on television is often restricted to fashion and furniture.

"What we have done is give viewers the inside story on all aspects of design: but it’s not fluff: it’s a look at how science, art and creativity help build life-changing products."

These "life-changing products" feature in regular segments of the program including "Prototype" that looks at the latest in high-tech gadgets, gizmos and furniture, and "Design Icon" that looks at classic designs which have grown from a niche interest to mass market appeal.

Gorani, in common with everyone else, has design classics she cannot live without, and as a CNN anchor and reporter her choice is perhaps not surprising: "The suitcase and a mobile phone pouch."

Design 360 airs on Sundays, 1:30 p.m.

© COPYRIGHT 2003 Financial Times Ltd. (From BusinessWorld (Philippines))

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