On Nov. 15 and 16, the International Herald Tribune is hosting its twelve annual conference in Rome.  The topic of discussion this year is on “The Power of the Mediterranean, the Promise of Africa.”

Curated by Suzy Menkes, Fashion Editor of IHT, the conference always attracts the top figures in the fashion industry.  This year’s keynote speaker is Jean-Paul Gaultier, the legendary French haute couture fashion designer.

The IHT Luxury Conference is one of the leading events of its kind.  Every year the conference attracts more than 500 of the who’s who of the luxury industry for discussions and marketing opportunities.

This year, the fashion titans will direct their eye on the huge potential Africa has to offer along with the continents fashion potential and its relationship to Mediterranean countries like Italy and Spain.

Now in its twelve year, the IHT conference has taken place in such cities as Paris, Dubai, Sao Paolo, Berlin and Istanbul.  The event has hosted speakers such as Bernard Arnault, Tom Ford, Giorio Armani, Miuccia Prada, Karl Lagerfeld, and Victoria Beckham.