Free Symposium on The Significant Contributions to Fashion by LGBTQ Individuals

On November 8 and 9, 2013, the Fashion Institute of Technology will host a 2-day, free symposium on the significant contributions to fashion by LGBTQ (lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-queer) individuals over the last 300 years that coincides with the exhibition of the same name currently on display at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Speakers will include leading experts, influencers and innovators.

Participants and topics include:
• John Bartlett, American fashion designer and FIT graduate, who in February 2012 showed the first ever eco-friendly, cruelty-free menswear collection at New York Fashion Week

• Simon Doonan, creative ambassador-at-large for Barneys New York, and regular guest on America’s Next Top Model

• James Gager, senior vice president and creative director for MAC Cosmetics and member of the board of directors for the MAC AIDS Fund

• Fran Lebowitz, author, public speaker, and former columnist for Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine

• Hal Rubenstein, InStyle magazine’s editor-at-large and 2011 recipient of the CFDA’s Eleanor Lambert Founder’s Award

• Ralph Rucci, American fashion designer and FIT alumnus, who was the first American based designer to show haute couture in Paris

• Omar Sharif, Jr., actor, model, and national spokesperson for GLAAD

• Dr. Valerie Steele, director and chief curator of The Museum at FIT