On May 10, FIT presented the Future of Fashion Celebration and Honors, which included the Future of Fashion runway show and a festive after-party celebrating two special honorees, in addition to outstanding student work. The evening was hosted by supermodel and entrepreneur Ashley Graham and honored industry notables–designer and FIT alumnus Victor Glemaud and supermodel, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Karlie Kloss—as well as outstanding students. The event benefited the FIT Foundation, which supports college initiatives and student scholarships.
Following the runway show, more than 300 guests from the worlds of business and design adjourned to the reception, featuring music by DJ Lina.
Graham presented Glemaud with the Outstanding Alumni Award, saying: “Victor holds a special place in my heart. He has made me feel so fly and beautiful during some pretty big moments in my life. He dressed me for my first Met, for the CDFAs, and he even made me a custom piece for my first baby shower. I am so honored to introduce him.”
Presenting Kloss with the Fashion Icon Award, Graham said, “This one is near and dear to my heart. We started out in the industry as teenagers and look at us now—we are shooting campaigns with our sons. She is such an inspiration and is an incredible trailblazer in the industry.”
Glemaud said in accepting his award, “FIT nurtured me and truly gave me the foundation to create my own pathways in fashion. Now it’s my honor to contribute and support the amazing faculty here and learn from the students.”
Kloss said, “I have tremendous gratitude for so many people in this room and in our industry, who I have had the privilege to work alongside and learn from for more than half my life. My career is a direct result of the very creativity that makes up this room. Thank you for creating a world with so much beauty, color, and imagination. It is this very world that you all have dreamed up that enabled me to leave my small town in the Midwest and enter a global stage.”
Following the awards, comedian Seth Herzog took the stage and led a live auction of luxe experiences including a Chanel Atelier Fragrance Experience, the U.S. Open/Ralph Lauren, and a New York City Package (soccer tickets, dinner, Gotham Comedy Club tickets). A silent auction included a Naked Cashmere Package and a Golden Goose sneaker creation experience. FIT President Joyce F. Brown thanked Macy’s, Dior, and Moët Hennessy for their partnership and sponsorship, which made the evening possible, and to remind the guests of the good their contributions would do for students.
“As we have seen tonight, our students are exceptional,” Dr. Brown said. “They arrive at our doors bursting with talent, energy, intelligence, creativity and knowing just what they want to do for the rest of their lives. They are deeply motivated to succeed and they have grit and determination—and big dreams. But most of them—65 percent of them—could not attend FIT without some form of financial aid. And you are helping to transform these young lives with your support tonight. FIT is the special sauce that turns dreams into reality.”