The Savannah College of Art and Design is pleased to announce the 12th annual SCADstyle event, the university's signature week celebrating the luminaries of design and their work. Honorary chair Imran Amed, founder and CEO of The Business of Fashion, and guests including esteemed fashion designers Norma Kamali and Billy Reid will gather for a week of lectures and intimate conversations, April 6-13.

"Without a doubt, SCAD is the preeminent source of knowledge in design education, where every day our students benefit from the wisdom and insights of the best faculty in higher education," said SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace. "And now, during SCADstyle 2017, we are proud to welcome a host of leading design minds to share their brilliance with our students – including the most influential business thinker in all of global fashion, Imran Amed. SCADstyle 2017 will be a week to remember."

SCADstyle brings together influential international thought leaders and practitioners from across design industries – fashion, architecture, interior design and graphic design among others – to discuss contemporary ideas and business principles that are defining success for these fields. SCADstyle will hold concurrent marquee programming across SCAD's global locations in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia, and Hong Kong. 

Previous SCADstyle guests include Calvin Klein, Alexander Wang, Fern Mallis, Lauren Bush Lauren and Charlotte Moss. This year's programming will feature Sagmeister & Walsh Art Director and Partner Jessica Walsh, CNN Style Host Derek Blasberg, Wall Street Journal Magazine Editor-In-Chief Kristina O'Neill, interior designer Ryan Korban, Shinola and Fossil Founder Tom Kartsotis, L'Oreal President Carol Hamilton and fashion illustrator Dallas Shaw.

As the preeminent authority in art and design with locations on three continents, SCAD has long been a destination for industry leaders to connect with emerging talent. The university cultivates and celebrates careers in art and design by prioritizing professionalism in the context of creative practice. SCADstyle provides a platform for students to interact directly with professionals in fields closely related to SCAD's carefully curated degree programs.

SCADstyle is free and open to the public. Follow @SCADdotedu and use #SCADstyle to join the conversations via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Below is a preliminary schedule of events for SCADstyle 2017.

SCADstyle Events: Savannah

Thursday, April 6:
Lecture: Jessica Walsh of Sagmeister & Walsh; 6 p.m., Arnold Hall

Monday, April 10:
Lecture: Tom Kartsotis of Shinola and Fossil; 6 p.m., Arnold Hall

Tuesday, April 11:
Conversation: Carol Hamilton of L'Oreal with Teen Vogue's Jessica Matlin; 2:30 p.m., SCAD Museum of Art

Conversation: Business of Fashion Founder Imran Amed; 6 p.m., Arnold Hall 

Wednesday, April 12:
Conversation: Designer Billy Reid; 6 p.m., SCAD MOA

Thursday, April 13:
Conversation: Womenswear designer Norma Kamali; 6 p.m., SCAD MOA

SCADstyle Events: Atlanta

Monday, April 10:
Lecture: Journalist and Fashionista.com Founding Editor Faran Krentcil; 2:30 p.m., Ivy Hall

Conversation: CNN Style Host Derek Blasberg with Wall Street Journal Magazine Editor-In-Chief Kristina O'Neill; 5:30 p.m., SCADshow

Wednesday, April 12:
Conversation: Interior designer Ryan Korban with Business of Fashion New York Editor Lauren Sherman; 2:30 p.m., SCADshow

Thursday, April 13:
Presentation: Illustrator and author Dallas Shaw; 2:30 p.m., SCADshow.
Book signing by Dallas Shaw of The Way She Wears It: The Ultimate Insider's Guide to Revealing Your Personal Style to immediately follow.

Shoes: Pleasure and Pain exhibition opening; 6 p.m., SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film

SCADstyle Events: Hong Kong

Wednesday, April 12:
Lecture: Christina Ventura; 6 p.m., Courtroom