Interior designer Kelly Hoppen is launching an awards programme to help talented young Chinese designers establish their careers.
The Kelly Hoppen International Design Awards will launch during the Design Shanghai fair in March next year.
"One of the reasons I'm doing these design awards is that there are some insanely brilliant designers coming out of China," Hoppen told Dezeen.
The awards will feature nine categories, including an up-and-coming category for emerging designers. In future, the programme hopes to offer scholarships and grants to young talents.
The Kelly Hoppen International Design Awards aim to help young Chinese designers establish their careers
The awards will aim to help female designers in particular. "Kelly noticed a clear lacking within some realms of support for up and coming designers especially the female design community," Hoppen's office said in a statement. Hoppen will host the inaugural programme with Hong Kong architect Steve Leung. Following its launch in China the programme will travel to other key cities around the world.
Chinese "appreciate great design"
Hoppen said she is launching in China because she felt a strong affinity with the country, where she is working on multiple projects.
"One of the reason I love working in China is the fact that they appreciate great design," she said. People in the west are "a bit blase" she said, whereas in China there is an excitement about design.

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