Intelligence Squared: Fashion maketh woman June 17, 2010

Woman is born free, but everywhere is fashion's slave. Her choices are an illusion: the fashion companies and magazines dictate her purchases to her. She feels compelled to own the latest must-have handbag, believes the key to happiness is the new bondage boot; they've told her she's worth it and without her fashion fix she feels worthless. This, at least, is the story told by those who scoff at fashion. But isn't that just sour drapes? Isn't it rather the case that the world of fashion defines the spirit and mood of the age? That the brilliant designers in the fashion houses bring vim and vigour to an otherwise pedestrian world? And that those who somehow think they¹re above it all just end up looking drab and dull?

Doors open at 6:00 pm. The debate starts at 6:45 pm and finishes at 8:30 pm.

Tickets:

Regular tickets are priced at £25: http://events.intelligencesquared.com/current-events.php?event=EVT0213

Student tickets are priced at 12.50: http://iq2-fashion.eventbrite.com

Speakers for the motion:

Madelaine Levy: Editor of Bon magazine.

Britt Lintner: American-born founder of eponymous fashion company whose clothes are frequently worn by PM's wife Sarah Brown; she is also a hedge fund manager at GLC Partners and a married mother of two.

Paula Reed: Style director of Grazia magazine.

Speakers against the motion:

Stephen Bayley: Broadcaster and consultant. Founding director of London's Design Museum and outspoken commentator on all matters concerning art and style in everyday life. His latest book is "Woman as Design".

Susie Orbach: Psychotherapist and author. Her books include "Fat is a Feminist Issue" and most recently "Bodies: Big Ideas".

Grayson Perry: Turner Prize-winning artist, whose work on close inspection contains commentaries on cultural, social and political subjects. He often appears in public as his alter-ego Claire wearing an elaborate bespoke frock.

Chair:

Peter York: Writer, broadcaster and social and cultural commentator.

Watch live online:

Our debate will be live-streamed on our website at http://www.intelligencesquared.com/live. Make your voice heard through our live Twitter feed (#iq2fashion) and see the online discussion update next to the video.