Janet Jackson received the Icon Award on stage at the Out100 event on Thursday at the Altman Building in New York City.
Never afraid to take a fashion risk, she came dressed in a head-turning ensemble consisting of a fur-accented vest and leather look pants paired with a train accented with lace by the Lisbon-based brand David Ferreira. Janet accessorized with a bizarre paddle hair accessory, fingerless gloves, a long rectangular clutch, and a pair of towering boots.
Janet Jackson in a David Ferreira dress at the Out100 event at the Altman Building in New York City on November 9, 2017
She gave a soft-spoken speech that ended with her reciting the lyrics to her 1997 hit ‘Together Again’. “Differences are beautiful, diversity is a gift,” the 51-year-old entertainer told the crowd. “We’re all different, we’re all the same, we’re all vulnerable. We’re all in need of acceptance and encouragement. All love spreads from the same source: gentleness, kindness, grace, and God.”
The sister of Michael Jackson added that “You are the people, the brave people, who are unafraid to let the world know that we will reject any narrow definition of love. We will reject any form of hate, rooted fear, rooted intolerance. We will reject any and all negativity. We insist that love is for everyone and that we will love according to the demands of our hearts.”
Credit: WENN / Dennis Van Tine / Future Image / Jason Mendez