Women&Design by Maison&Objet Awards 2026 : Designing for a Better Future
Sunday 13 September —
16:00
- 16:45
The Talks — Hall 5
Description
The Women&Design Awards by Maison&Objet celebrate women who are shaping the future of design through creativity, leadership and meaningful impact. From social innovation and cultural heritage to the development of new creative ecosystems, the 2026 award winners embody a generation that is redefining the role of design in society. Joined by Anaïs Carion, Managing Director of MAD Brussels and member of the jury, Emily Wheeler, Tola Ojuolape and Reem Al-Sultan will share their journeys, their values and their vision for a more responsible, inclusive and forward-looking design industry.
Participants
Tola Ojuolape Founder and Creative Director - Tola Ojuolape Studio
Anaïs Sandra CarionCEO - MAD Brussels
Emily WheelerFounder & CEO of Furnishing Futures
Danièle GerkensJournalist
Tola Ojuolape
Founder and Creative Director - Tola Ojuolape Studio
Tola Ojuolape is the Founder and Creative Director of Tola Ojuolape Studio, a London-based multidisciplinary practice creating emotionally rich, human-centred interiors, objects, and experiences. Her work blends heritage and contemporary aesthetics, drawing inspiration from art, culture, materiality, and craft to create spaces that are tactile, immersive, and enduring. Raised in County Clare, Ireland, Tola’s mixed cultural background and studies in Ireland, Milan, and London have shaped her design sensibility, balancing refinement, storytelling, and a deep appreciation for architectural heritage. She has lectured at the Royal College of Art and Camberwell College of Arts, was shortlisted for Dezeen’s Emerging Interior Designer of the Year (2023), and this year (2025) was named one of Homes & Gardens’ ‘Next in Design’ (NiD25).
Anaïs Sandra Carion
CEO - MAD Brussels
Anaïs Sandra Carion (°1991) is the CEO of MAD Brussels, the center for fashion & design in Brussels. After many years in the private industry, from an online design & architecture magazine to the french house Hermès, she decided to use her contacts and experience to promote the Brussels fashion & design scene, both locally & internationally. Besides MAD, Anaïs has been involved as conference teacher at St Luc, jury member and speaker for many design fairs & events, alumna of Belgium 40’s under 40’s and board member of A+ Magazine.
Emily Wheeler
Founder & CEO of Furnishing Futures
Emily Wheeler is the founder of Furnishing Futures, a UK charity that creates fully furnished, trauma-informed homes for women and children escaping domestic abuse. A former social worker, interior designer, stylist and writer, she launched the charity in 2019 after witnessing families being rehoused in empty properties with no essential furniture, often leading survivors to return to abusive situations. By partnering with domestic abuse organisations and leading interiors brands, Furnishing Futures transforms donated products into healing homes, combining social impact, sustainability and design.
Danièle Gerkens
Journalist
Editor-in-chief of ELLE Décoration, ELLE à table and Art & Décoration, Danièle Gerkens has a degree in Economics and in the History of Art and Religions. Born and raised in Africa, she has worked as a journalist for ELLE magazine after various experiences: copywriter at Publicis, consultant at UNESCO, cook at l'Arpège with Alain Passard... She is also the author of several books including "Zero Sugar", an investigation published by Les Arènes.