NEW YORK, NY.- Elle Decor and Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum today announced the launch of "Women in Design," a new annual event that celebrates outstanding female achievement in the fields of architecture, communications, fashion, interior, landscape and product design. Co-sponsored by Cooper-Hewitt, HSBC Bank and world-class Swiss watchmakers RADO, the "Women in Design" inaugural event takes place on November 17, 2008 at the Harold Pratt House in New York City.

Margaret Russell, Editor-in-Chief of Elle Decor, and Cara McCarty, Cooper-Hewitt Curatorial Director, will inaugurate the program by hosting a panelist discussion consisting of today's leading women in design. Featuring Annabelle Selldorf (architect), Bunny Williams (interior designer), Celerie Kemble (interior designer) and Cynthia Rowley (fashion designer), the panelists will share their stories, professional influences and insights that each has gleaned throughout her career.

The evening will also feature an awards presentation during which Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) President Paula Wallace will be honored with the first annual Elle Decor Vision Award. "For some, design is merely decoration, but for women in design, it is so much more -- it is essential," says the event's host, Margaret Russell. "This program is about recognizing and inspiring women such as Paula who are making their mark in a field historically dominated by men. These women aren't just changing the course of the design world, but the world itself. They're remaking the world one room at a time into a more beautiful, livable place."

"'Women in Design' salutes today's leading design visionaries, drawing them together for inspiration and interaction with the best and the brightest in their fields," adds co-host Cara McCarty. "Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum is delighted to be a part of a program that recognizes the notable women who are infusing the world with design through dedication, commitment and bold innovation."

In addition to the award ceremony and panel discussion, the evening will also feature the unveiling of pieces from finalists in RADO's Design Competition, where female students from across various design fields in SCAD's Working Class Studio will compete. These women designed pieces specific to their field of expertise, inspired by RADO's Ceramica Chrono collection. In addition to a trip to New York City and a watch from the collection, the winner will receive a feature in both Elle Decor and the RADO newsletter.