Forte Dei Marmi Conversation Series – Naeem Khan: Fashioning the Global Political Runway

Naeem Khan & Cathy Leff
Miami, FL – January 20, 2017 – In keeping with Forte dei Marmi’s Arts Club agenda to promote the art of intelligent conversation, internationally acclaimed fashion designer Naeem Khan engaged in a Q & A with cultural entrepreneur Cathy Leff. The topic of conversation, of course, was the intersection of fashion and politics. Khan, one of former First Lady Michele Obama’s favorite designers, reflected on his experiences designing for Mrs. Obama. He also shared his views on the role of the designer and fashion in the broader culture, how fashion reflects and shapes individual and collective identity, and the multiple meanings and messages conveyed by fashion and its wearers. The event was hosted by Tatyana Silva, FDM’s founder with Sarah Harrelson and Cultured Magazine. Prior to the talk, guests enjoyed Forte dei Marmi’ signature cocktails and “marble” bites and a very appropriate, specially curated “Americana” playlist, featuring everything from jazz to rap, anthems and marches, and protest songs. Following the talk, guests enjoyed a culinary experience downstairs at the restaurant with a menu created by Forte dei Marmi’s Michelin-star chef Antonio Mellino.

Naeem Khan & Cathy Leff

Naeem Khan & Cathy Leff

Paul Cejas & Sam Robin

Oscar Carvallo & Jessika Angarita

Oscar Carvallo, Jessika Angarita, & Elysze Held

Susie Wahab, Princess Firyal, Criselda & Jonathan Breene

Sarah Harrelson & Alison Pincus

Susie & Walid Wahab, & Princess Firyal

Naeem Khan, Tatyana & Riccardo Silva

Naeem Khan, Tatyana Silva, Cathy Leff, & Riccardo Silva

Sam Robin, Naeem Khan, & Cathy Leff

Sam Robin, Heather Kleisner, & Tatyana Silva

Criselda Breene & Sam Robin

Paul & Trudy Cejas

Yolanda Berkowitz & Suzy Buckley Woodward

Yolanda Berkowitz & Elysze Held

Elysze Held & Naeem Khan

Anick Vorbe & Andreea Baclea

George Lindemann & Riccardo Silva

Sarah Harrelson, George Lindemann, & Yolanda Berkowitz

Suzy Buckley Woodward, Jeff & Yolanda Berkowitz

Sam Robin, Elysze Held, & Gigi Ganatra-Duff

Ali Mahallati & Jeff Berkowitz

Lori Warriner & Anil Kakar

Carlos Betancourt & Alberto Latorre

Naeem Khan, Alberto Latorre, Carlos Betancourt, Sam Robin, & Iran Issa Khan

Sarah Harrelson & Cathy Leff

Criselda Breene & Tatyana Silva

Riccardo Silva, Jonathan Breene, & Susie Wahab

Naeem Khan & Princess Firyal

Naeem Khan & Iran Issa Khan

Iran Issa Khan & Susie Wahab

Hilary Tisch & Lauren Beall

Nataly Stuart & Naeem Khan

Charly Delgado, Carl Pascuzzi, & Alberto Latorre

Jessika Angarita, Oscar Carvallo, & Yndira Marin