Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò at New York University will launch a new speaker series devoted to issues of fashion and design. Called “AdDRESSing Style: Conversations on the Visual Arts,” the series kicks off with an inaugural event, “Fashion in the Global Age,” on Thurs., Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m. The discussion, which is free and open to the public, takes place at 24 West 12th Street (between Fifth and Sixth Avenues). For more information, visit http://www.casaitaliananyu.org/. Seating is first-come, first-served.

Organized by Grazia d’Annunzio, special projects editor, Vogue Italia, and Eugenia Paulicelli, professor of Italian and comparative literature at CUNY Graduate Center, the series will explore some of the hottest topics connected to Italy’s image in the contemporary world, from art and design to fashion and architecture.

Appearing at the inaugural discussion on Oct. 21 will be Harold Koda, curator in charge, The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Stefano Tonchi, editor in chief of W magazine.

“Fashion in the Global Age” will explore fashion as an economic force and a key component of the visual arts. Focusing on the globalized world, the discussion will treat fashion as a site for style, fantasy, negotiations of gender, and individual and collective identities in space and time.

Reporters interested in attending the event are encouraged to contact Tim Farrell, NYU Office of Public Affairs, by phone at 212.998.6797 or via email at tim.farrell@nyu.edu.