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| 2011 FORUM SPONSORS:
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Anonymous
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Feinberg, Rozen, LLP
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The Fischman Family – Nancy, Steve, Ben, Wendy, Laura
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Nancy Harris
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Joseph L. Johnson III
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The Karp Family Foundation
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Lawrence J. and Anne Rubenstein Charitable Foundation
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The June and Eliot Tatelman Family Foundation
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14th Annual Public Forum
The Harris Center’s annual Public Forum focuses on Body Image and the Media, offering the community opportunities for discussion with leaders in the media, fashion and publishing industries.
More than 800 students, parents, educators and members of the press joined us at Harvard Business School for our 14th Forum on March 8, 2011 – the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. Our keynote speaker was the world-renowned fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, who addressed the topics of empowerment, beauty and health and shared her life story, starting with the inspiration and courage she drew from her mother, a Holocaust survivor. Ms. von Furstenberg recalled knowing as a child that she wanted to be an “independent woman who could run her own life” and added “I became that woman through fashion.”
Ms. von Furstenberg discussed the hardships she faced in her earliest years as a designer, the huge success of her wrap dress in the 1970s, her five years in Europe after selling her company, and the comeback that allowed her to grow her collection into the global lifestyle brand it is today. Her beliefs that “beauty is perfect in its imperfection” and that “the most important thing in life is your relationship with yourself” speak volumes about her compassion for women who feel inadequate. Her positive outlook and sense of humor are infectious. For example, in describing the challenges of launching her career while raising two children, she said “terrible moments become your best souvenirs—at least after they happen.”
As the President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Ms. von Furstenberg is determined to “promote beauty as health” and to counter the aesthetic of extreme thinness that is believed to play a role in the development of disordered eating. In addition to creating fashions that inspire confidence and freedom, she empowers women through philanthropy. In 2010 she established the DVF Awards with the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation to honor women who have displayed leadership, strength, and courage in their commitment to their causes. As Ms. von Furstenberg described the accomplishments of the four women who would receive these awards in 2011, her strength, passion, and resiliency were practically palpable.
After Diane von Furstenberg addressed questions from the audience, the program closed on an upbeat and energetic note. Harris Center Founder Dr. David Herzog re-affirmed his commitment to working with the leaders of the fashion industry to effect better health for fashion models and for the public at large. “We are fortunate that the industry has chosen Diane to be its leader,” he emphasized.
Following the Public Forum, Ms. von Furstenberg tweeted "Harris Center for Eating Disorder at Harvard is a powerful organization! Dr Herzog is passionate and effective! Love Diane" http: twitter.com/dvf
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| 2011 Public Forum - Diane von Furstenberg |
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Left to right: Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haglund, Dr. Herzog, Diane von Furstenberg, Miss America 2011 Teresa Scanlan
Both photos above by Roger Farrington |
Did you attend the 2011 Public Forum? Your feedback is welcome.
Please  to email us your comments.
This was the second consecutive year that we focused our Public Forum on our work with the leaders of the fashion industry to promote healthy body images. For our 2010 Forum, we hosted impressive panelists, Michael Kors, fashion designer and judge on Lifetime Television’s Project Runway, Natalia Vodianova, Russian model, actress and philanthropist, and Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief, Vogue magazine.
Find out about our new Teen Mentor Program.
Be sure to visit our website for upcoming events. If you would like to inquire about the Harris Center; its programs, public forums, and giving opportunities please call 617-726-8470.
This page was posted on 3/14/11.
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