Tim Gunn cancels Career Fair appearance


Late last week, Tim Gunn, the Chief Creative Officer of Liz Claiborne, Inc., cancelled his keynote speech for the Career Fair, which was supposed to take place at Bovard on Thursday.

Tim Gunn, well known as an on-air fashion mentor for Project Runway, is also the Honorary Chair of Fashion Design at Parson’s New School for Design. Thanks to Gunn’s direction, Parsons now has one of the leading fashion design programs in the world. His widely-published interviews, articles and TV appearances have made him a fashion guru.

Jeep Hauser, Director of IT & Communications at USC’s Career Center, is in charge of coordinating this year’s Career Fair. He said Gunn had to cancel for a conflicting speaking appearance.

“He will be on Oprah this Thursday,” Hauser said.

According to Hauser, the fashionisto was deeply apologetic and asked if he could come to speak next semester.

Students previously looking forward to attending the sold-out event are disappointed.

Tess Goodwin, the VP of membership for the Fashion Industry Association here at USC, said she was the first in line when the speaker was announced.

“Even if you don’t know anything about fashion, you’ve heard of Tim Gunn because of Project Runway. When I heard he was coming I was really excited,” Goodwin said. “It was an event that I felt really passionate about going to.”

So far Tim Gunn’s slot has not been filled, and organizers say it is too late to find another relevant speaker for Thursday evening.