December 8, 2011

Dear Ms. Guinness,

We were pleased to learn via a November 21 email from your assistant Jenna and through reporters who contacted you that you are concerned about and considering our November 21 letter to you in which we called on you to sever ties with Lev Leviev, a funder of your exhibition at FIT. As we documented, Leviev’s companies are involved in settlement construction in violation of international law in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian Territories and in human rights violations and unethical business practices in the diamond industry in Angola and Namibia.

We are writing to follow up on our original letter, and to offer more details about Leviev’s illegal and unethical practices in order to aid you in your decision.

Below are photos of Leader Management and Development's signs in or near the West Bank settlement of Zufim. The company Leader Management and Development is owned by Lev Leviev and his brother-in-law. English translations of the signs are noted in the captions. Click on the photo to enlarge it.

Myra Biblowit, President

Margaret Mastrianni, Deputy Director
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation
New York, NY

November 21, 2011

Dear Ms. Biblowit and Ms. Mastrianni,

As groups committed to human rights in the Middle East we were concerned to read reports[1] that the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) recently accepted a grant from the LVD Foundation, which is headed by businessman Lev Leviev. We also found confirmation that Leviev has sponsored BCRF events in Manhattan and London.[2]

We expect that you were not aware that Lev Leviev’s companies have become notorious for their involvement in Israeli settlement construction in violation of international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and for human rights violations and questionable business practices in the diamond industry in southern Africa. Because of this many respected organizations - including Oxfam America,[3] CARE[4] and UNICEF;[5] governments - including Norway[6] and the United Kingdom;[7] major investment firms and Hollywood stars[8] have all sought distance from Leviev’s companies.

Dr. Joyce F. Brown
President
FIT
New York, NY

Valerie Steele
Director
The Museum at FIT
New York, NY

November 21, 2011

Dear Dr. Brown and Ms. Steele,

As groups committed to human rights in the Middle East we were concerned to read reports[1] and find confirmation on your website that the Fashion Institute of Technology recently accepted a grant from the LVD Foundation, which is headed by businessman Lev Leviev. Evidently, Leviev’s funding is being used to finance an exhibition of British designer Daphne Guinness’ clothing at the Museum at FIT.[2]