Pioneers:
Conception, Creation, And Innovation

IAC’s 18th Annual New York Fashion Conference
November 4 – 5, 2016

The Graduate Center, The City University of New York

First. At the leading (or bleeding) edge. Pioneering. Surely an enviable, or at least admirable, position. But we knew it didn’t come easy, and even when it came, it didn’t guarantee success. But without pioneers, without those who risked being first (whatever the endeavor), we were stuck, frozen in place, our feet nailed to the floor. In the 18th annual New York Fashion conference, IAC celebrated pioneers from all corners of the industry. From those who created new materials and those who used traditional materials in innovative ways. To designers who embraced revolutionary techniques to accomplish the previously unrealizable—or even unimaginable. From those who, unfettered by tradition, derived novel approaches to incorporating precious metals and gemstones into jewelry and rare textiles and dyes into garments. To those who fundamentally reenvisioned the commercial enterprises they led, aligning their business goals not simply with the implacable demands of the bottom line but with the larger needs of the societies and environments in which they operated. From those who created the ground-breaking technologies that made so many of these innovations possible. To those who incorporated, captured and documented it all, whether in social media, photography, film or publications, and in the doing, defined an era’s look and sensibility. Of these pioneers, we sang, those with the courage and vision to engage in entirely new ways, to effect change and in the doing, transform society in ways that benefited us all. We celebrated the life of Annie. For Ann Seay Brumbaugh. The Lena and Louis Minkoff Foundation were gratefully acknowledged for their generosity. We also expressed our sincere thanks to ALTR Created Diamonds, Cone Denim, DELGATTO, Diamond Services, Ltd., Hilldun Corporation, Hoover & Strong, Invista, Johnson Matthey, Kaltex, Kimberly McDonald, Lenzing, New Diamond Technology, Platinum Guild International, and TechForm; and to Freeman’s for their generous media sponsorship (as of 10/02/2016).

Program agenda