The end of the school year is an exciting time for universities, especially their graduates. This year has been a tense time, as student-led protests over the war between Israel and Hamas have dominated attention.
Out of the Parsons 75th annual benefit, which raises funds to help support student financial aid, a medium-sized pro-Palestine protest was taking place, expressing outrage toward the school for apparently investing in companies that benefit Israel.
(Although the school's teachers recently voted in favor of divestment.) However, inside the event at Cipriani Wall Street, the vibes were positive for the accomplishments of the graduates and honorees: J. Crew's Thom Browne, Bethann Hardison and Libby Wadle, each of whom had their connection to the institution they have produced designers such as Anna Sui, Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs and Proenza Schouler designers Jack McCollough and Lázaro Hernández.
Actress, producer and host entrepreneur Nicole Ari Parker, wearing a charming Marc Jacobs look, began the evening by confessing her gratitude to the people in the design industry who helped support her clothing company Gymwraps and her excitement about being able to wear a dress by Valentino and Philip Sombrero by Treacy as his character Serena in 'And Just Like That'.
The evening was supported by the co-chairs. Wes Gordon, creative director of Carolina Herrera; Liz Rodbell, president and CEO of Hudson's Bay; and Gena Smith, director of human resources at LVMH Inc.
Boris Kodjoe, actor, male model and husband of Ari Parker, told the crowd how instrumental Hardison had been in his career thanks to “his vision for a more diverse and equitable industry around the world” and how he raised him as “one of her babies at her modeling agencies both when she represented him and even later when he was at another agency.
He also recalled how Hardison was instrumental in their marriage when she told them, “You two belong together; what the hell are you waiting for?”
The award ceremony took place by chance on the couple's 19th day.th wedding anniversary while honoring their “personal Cupid.”
Hardison recalled the support Parsons provided when organizing various aspects of the Black Girls coalition and the quest for equality by remembering Parsons Events Director Margo T. Lewis, who helped Hardison create her Fashion Outreach.
“She helped us galvanize that space at Parsons 40th Street, which allowed us to use it for panel discussions with creatives of color who were successful in the industry to come together and have a place of community,” he recalled.
Hardison also noted that Parsons asks him to give monthly panels as part of a symposium about his photography work in the '90s.
“I'm happy to have the honor of reminding myself who I am. You have to live a long time to recognize who you are; I grew up in the clothing business and I did what I did with grace,” he said in the room.
Hardison was further honored by Parsons Executive Dean Yvonne Watson, who credited Hardison's pioneering career as a model, modeling agency owner, and equality activist with allowing her to be visible and heard in the industry.
Current J. Crew Creative Director Olympia Gayot introduced J. Crew CEO Libby Wadle, who recalled her early days at the popular brand when meetings included discussions about its highly regarded catalogs and the latest color for name and add to your cashmere line.
Wadle, dressed in a red cashmere sheath dress designed by a Parsons alum on the J Crew team, admitted that nurturing talent is one of the secrets to the brand's success.
“We know the magic of bringing creative people together and are delighted to support the next generation of creatives. I believe brands are better when talent is given the space to explore and exercise their creativity, which I try to give our team “, he pointed. .
Interim President Donna Shalala recognized the school's commitment to addressing the social and political issues of its student body as she congratulated a recent graduate. Shalala introduced Mel Corchado, a 2023 Parsons MA in Fashion Design and Society graduate, CFDA Fellow, and current associate designer at Coach, as someone who takes a decolonized approach to fashion. Corchado focuses on sustainable and fair practices through community building, skills sharing and recycling practices, among other issues in his work.
Between courses, guests were able to enjoy performances by the Artlex String Quartet of The New School Faculty of Performing Arts and The New School Gospel Choir.
Alina Cho, recent winner of the CFDA Media Award honoring CBS Sunday Morning contributor and journalist Eugenia Sheppard, introduced Browne in accepting her award, citing that “compelling characters create the most compelling stories and very few are as compelling as my friend Thom Browne.” “He had a unique and compelling idea about how to imagine the classic men's suit, even though at first no one wanted his concept, and look at it now,” he said just before the CFDA president took the stage and accepted his award. His speech was in part an acceptance speech and partly a graduation speech.
“Parsons encourages pure creativity and my mission has been to champion creativity first. The future of American fashion looks very strong; I see true creativity and diversity, and this is what makes American fashion known around the world,” Browne said. He continued: “Every time I step into my pulpit, this is what I say: You have a responsibility to stay true to your story and vision. If you do this, you will find success, which is not measured by fortune and fame, but by doing something you love and doing it well, it's even harder when you're successful,” reminding the audience of her humble beginnings with no formal training in fashion.
He told how his first collection was neither understood nor liked. “If I can do it, so can you. It's your responsibility to create the next generation of fashion,” she added.
The evening concluded with a fashion show featuring the work of a select group of BFA students. The night before the entire class each showed a look at a show at New York's Hall des Lumières for a lively 228-look show. At the charity event, a select group of students:Leo Hsiung, Semi Park, Leo Qian, Elle Gailey, Bashar Abouljoud, Evren Alexander Nelson, Greta Moschata, Laurel Tiange Fang, Sophia K. Shim, Yulu Hou, Yue Tong (Annalyse Fu), Xijia Cheng—showed their work on mannequins in the room and selected a handful of looks for the runway portion of the night.
While they all showed talent, some highlights included Park's watercolor-inspired knits, Hou's athletically inspired sculptural looks, Tong aka Annalyse Fu's quilted silhouettes, Abouljoud's distressed chics, modern sophistication of Moschata, styles influenced by Hsiung's desert robes and Kim's Broadway. -Cape worthy of sun rays.
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