Hasta La Ideas

One of the best conferences of the year occurs without much fanfare (but with plenty of sartorially astute attendees) at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, helmed by the extraordinary Valerie Steele. This year’s two-day fashion symposium takes place on Friday and Saturday—a bit earlier in the year than usual but perfect timing for those in New York City for Fashion Week. In conjunction with the museum’s current “Gothic: Dark Glamour” exhibition, the symposium will feature designers, musicians, photographers, authors, and curators who will discuss fashion and subcultural style.

Among the featured speakers are Steele, Goth historian Mick Mercer, artist and writer Jane Wildgoose (who designed the costumes for for Clive Barker‘s horror film, Hellraiser), and Tokyo street style authority Tiffany Godoy. We can’t wait to begin our Valentine’s Day with historian Peter McNeil, who will give a talk entitled, “The Prince of Wales: Last of the Dandies or the First Sub-Culturalist?” (Stop, you’re both right!). Rounding out the agenda is a Saturday afternoon discussion between designer and rock/goth design pioneer Anna Sui and Andrew Bolton. Thanks to support from the Coby Foundation, the event is free to all students. Non-students can register at the door on Friday morning: get there about 15 minutes early, Goth getups optional.

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