Fashion’s biggest names and next-generation stars gathered in downtown Manhattan on Wednesday night to celebrate the 74 annual Parsons Awards for Philanthropy. Each year, the evening is dedicated to reflecting on the journey of Parsons graduates while honoring the New School’s strong commitment to creativity, innovation, sustainability and inclusivity.
Co-hosted by Wes Gordon, Creative Director, Carolina Herrera, Alexandra Moosally, Co-Founder, Saint New York Partners, and Gena Smith, Chief Human Resources Officer, LVMH Inc. All bigger and better. The grand ballroom at Cipriani Wall Street was transformed into a giant runway, lined with decadent dinner tables and a stage fit for a legendary hip-hop performer.
Upon arrival, including Kim Kardashian, Marc Jacobs, Jodie Turner-Smith, Cara Delevingne, Dapper Dan, Diane Von Furstenberg, Tory Burch, Joseph Altuzarra, Victor Glemaud, Lazaro Hernandez, Jack McCollough and Laura Kim visited the BFA for the first time, and the creations of AAS fashion design students were elegantly displayed on mannequins during a lively cocktail reception. Even with some of the most influential people in the industry in the room, the spotlight was on MFA Fashion Design and Society students who were just minutes away from a long-awaited, perhaps life-changing moment.
Parsons Table Award nominees – Naomi Campbell, Olivier Rousteing and Geoffroy van Raemdonck – arrive, every Individuals were shown to their tables for the main event. After a few enthusiastic introductions, Vogue’s Anna Wintour dressed in the late Oscar de A vintage Balmain dress by la Renta took the podium to present the prestigious award to her longtime friend and French couturier Rousteing.
“In Balmain, in my opinion, Oscar de la Renta’s way of donating There’s an amazing connection to the giving back that Olivier does,” began Wintour. “We need more generosity from the fashion industry, more leaders like Olivier. I want to celebrate Oscar with his memory and message of giving.”
with her in Rousteing Before taking the stage, Wintour used a touching video of the former first lady and Balmain superfan Michelle Obama. Moved by what Wintour and Obama had to say, Rustin dropped the script and addressed the crowd from a deeper place — his heart. “Tonight you’re not just celebrating a creative director. Tonight you’re celebrating an African born in France with an incredible French mansion in his hands, so tonight, you’re celebrating a new world. Tonight you are celebrating hope for the next generation and students. Change can happen, but only if we fight it together.”
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